Parametric Analysis of Damage Detection Using Piezoelectric Transducer and Lamb Wave Approach

Abstract

Structural damage detection using piezoelectric transducers and the Lamb wave approach has been under intensive investigations. A commonly-pursued topic is the selection of system parameters such that the detection performance can be maximized. Previous studies have indicated that the excitation center frequency plays a critical role and suggested use the “sweet spot” frequency. This paper provides a comprehensive parametric analysis on Lamb wave propagation excited and sensed by piezoelectric transducers, where the “sweet spot” phenomenon is systematically explored by using correlated analytical, numerical, and experimental analyses. The analyses results can be used as guidelines for damage detection research.