Evaluation and Repair of Cracks on Statically Loaded Beams Using Piezoelectric Actuation

Abstract

In the present work, damage produced by a crack in a statically loaded beam is first evaluated. Subsequently, an attempt is made to repair the effect of the crack by attaching a piezoelectric patch to the beam as an actuator. Static analysis of PZT patched cracked beam along with rotational spring is performed using Ritz method. Subsequently, a finite element analysis is performed by using ABAQUS 6.12 to collate the analytical results. It is shown in the study that when PZT patch is subjected to external electric field, it yields a local reactive moment, which counters the crack effects. An equation is procured in order to compute the required actuation voltage for repairing of cracks. A parametric study is performed for various boundary conditions and loading patterns. It is distinctly noticed that the technique nullifies the discontinuity in slope curve which develops due to a crack.