Application of Piezoelectric Materials for Monitoring the Growth of Defects in Structures

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the use of piezoelectric materials as a technique for monitoring the growth of defects in structures. The method consists of exciting the structure with piezoelectric actuators while recording the electromechanical responses from sensors placed close to the defect. The piezoelectric sensors detect the damage growth or an incipient defect by monitoring changes in the dynamic strain field, induced by the piezoelectric actuator, near the defect. This technique was evaluated through experiments using an aluminum frame structure. Results show that the piezoelectric active method is capable of detecting small changes in defect depth.