Damage detection in composite structures by multipoint measuring system using guided wave propagation method.

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, the elastic wave propagation method was used in damage detection in composite cylindrical panels. The multipoint measuring system based on surface-mounted piezoelectric transducers was applied in the multistage measurement of the elastic wave propagation. The damage index definition based on the correlation coefficient was used to determine the state of the structure including localization and estimation of the damage size. Application of the PZT elements as actuators and sensors allows building a low-cost damage detection system that can be used in structural health monitoring (SHM) of composite parts. The resolution of the damage detection results depends on the number and localization of the sensors. However, the application of the multistage wave propagation analysis makes possible to improve the damage detection accuracy without raising the SHM system costs.