The Coupled Dynamic Behavior of Piezoelectric Sensors Bonded to Elastic Media

Abstract

Surface-bonded piezoelectric sensors can be used to monitor the mechanical behavior of structures for damage detection. This article provides a comprehensive theoretical study of the dynamic coupling between a surface piezoelectric sensor and an elastic half-plane. Attention is focused on the transformation of mechanical deformation into electric signals under dynamic loads. The effect of the longitudinal stiffness of the sensor is included in the developed sensor model. The problem is then formulated by using Fourier transform and solving the resulting integral equations in terms of the interfacial stress. The accuracy of the developed sensor model is evaluated by comparing with results from the finite element analysis. Numerical simulation is conducted to study the relation between the sensor response and the deformation of the host medium under static and dynamic loads. The results indicate the significant effects of the geometry of the sensor, the material mismatch of the system, and the loading frequency upon the sensor response.

Structural Diagnostics of CFRP Composite Aircraft Components by Ultrasonic Guided Waves and Built-In Piezoelectric Transducers

“…The larger discrepancy in theory for the piezoceramic transducer is most likely a consequence of its larger thickness and stiffness compared with the MFC transducer. As a result, the assumptions that the induced strain within the transducer and the surface strain of the host structure are equal as well as that the in-plane normal strain is constant throughout the transducer's thickness produced greater error in the predicted response [150]. Minor error between theory and experiment for both …”

“…In addition, the dynamic strain ratio between the induced strain within the transducer and the surface strain of the host structure is presumed to be unity over the sensor area. This assumption is valid for structures much stiffer than the piezoelectric transducer and transducers with large length to thickness aspect ratios [150]. The predicted responses for the piezoceramic and MFC (type P2) transducers are compared to experimental data for the broadband excitation cases.…”

Crack identification based on optimization methods using harmonic elastic waves

“…Inversely, if the strain field is known in the cracked area, the crack parameters can be identified. Inplane strains at different locations can be measured using surface bonded piezoelectric thin-sheet sensors (Wang and Huang 2006), and are therefore selected in the current study as the "measured" data for the identification of cracks.…”

SHM Supporting Damage Tolerance Design Philosophy As a Challenge for Designers of Future Airframes

“…Surface-bonded piezoelectric sensors can be used to monitor the mechanical behavior of structures for damage detection. A comprehensive theoretical study of the dynamic coupling between a surface piezoelectric sensor and an elastic half-plane are described in [7]. An active diagnostic system using built-in piezoelectric actuator/sensor networks was characterised in [8,14].…”