Optimized Parallel Interrogation and Protection of Piezo-transducers in Electromechanical Impedance Technique

Abstract

This article presents some of the practical issues concerning the implementation of the electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique for structural health monitoring (SHM) using piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) transducers. New sensor interrogation algorithms utilizing the sensor multiplexing technique are proposed to reduce the time required in interrogating the PZT patches one-by-one for localizing damage. Environmental effects on the admittance signatures of the PZT patch are considered, and a simple and economical technique is proposed to protect the PZT patches. Finally, practical application of PZT transducers in the monitoring of concrete curing is demonstrated.

Keywords

electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique damage localization protection piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) patch concrete curing

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Agilent Technologies Inc., 2004. Test and Measurement Catalogue, USA.

Bhalla, S. 2001. “Smart System Based Automated Health Monitoring of Structures,” M.Eng. Thesis, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Bhalla, S. and Soh, C.K. 2004a. “Structural Health Monitoring by Piezo-Impedance Transducers. I: Modeling,” Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 17(4): 154-165 .

Bhalla, S. and Soh, C.K. 2004b. “Structural Health Monitoring by Piezo-Impedance Transducers. II: Applications,” Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 17(4): 166-175 .

Dow Corning Corporation, 2004. http://www.dowcorning.com.

Giurgiutiu, V. and Rogers, C.A. 1997. ‘ ‘Electro-Mechanical (E/M) Impedance Method for Structural Health Monitoring and Non-Destructive Evaluation,” In: Proceedings of the International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring, Stanford University, California, pp. 433-444 .

Giurgiutiu, V. , Reynolds, A. and Rogers, C.A. 1999. “Experimental Investigations of E/M Impedance Health Monitoring for Spot Welded Structural Joints,” Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 10(10): 802-812 .

Hewlett-Packard , 1996. ‘ ‘HP LF 4192A Impedance Analyzer,” Operation Manual, Japan .

Liang, C. , Sun, F.P. and Rogers, C.A. 1994. “Coupled Electro-Mechanical Analysis of Adaptive Material Systems - Determination of the Actuator Power Consumption and System Energy Transfer,” Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 5(1): 12-20 .

10.

Malhotra, V.M. 1976. ‘ ‘Testing Hardened Concrete: Nondestructive Methods,” American Concrete Institute (ACI) , Monograph No. 9.

11.

Mide Technology Corporation, 2004. http://www.mide.com/.

12.

Park, G. , Kabeya, K. , Cudney, H.H. and Inman, D.J. 1999. “Impedance-Based Structural Health Monitoring for Temperature Varying Applications,” JSME International Journal, 42(2): 249-258 .

13.

Park, G. , Cudney, H.H. and Inman, D.J. 2000. “Impedance-based Health Monitoring of Civil Structural Components,” Journal of Infrastructure Systems, 6(4): 153-160 .

14.

Park, G. , Cudney, H.H. and Inman, D.J. 2001. “Feasibility of using Impedance-based Damage Assessment for Pipeline Structures,” Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, 30(10): 1463-1474 .

15.

Park, G. , Sohn, H. , Farrar, C.R. and Inman, D.J. 2003. “Overview of Piezoelectric Impedance-Based Health Monitoring and Path Forward,” The Shock and Vibration Digest, 35(6): 451-463 .

16.

PI Ceramic GmbH, 2004, Product Information Catalogue, Lindenstrabe, Germany, http://www.piceramic.de.

17.

Reactec Ltd., 2005, http://www.reactec.co.uk/.

18.

RS Components Ltd, 2004, Northants, United Kingdom, http://www.rs-components.com.

19.

Saffi, M. and Sayyah, T. 2001. “Health Monitoring of Concrete Structures Strengthened with Advanced Composite Materials Using Piezoelectric Transducers,” Composites Part B: Engineering, 32(4): 333-342 .

20.

Samman, M.M. and Biswas, M. 1994. “Vibration Testing for Non-Destructive Evaluation of Bridges. II: Experiment,” Journal of Structural Engineering, 120(1): 290-306 .

21.

Soh, C.K. and Bhalla, S. 2005. “Calibration of Piezo-Impedance Transducers for Strength Prediction and Damage Assessment in Concrete,” Smart Materials and Structures, 14(4): 671-684 .

22.

Soh, C.K. , Tseng, K.K.H. , Bhalla, S. and Gupta, A. 2000. “Performance of Smart Piezoceramic Patches in Health Monitoring of a RC Bridge,” Smart Materials and Structures, 9(4): 533-542 .

23.

Sun, F.P. , Chaudhry, Z. , Rogers, C.A. , Majmundar, M. and Liang, C. 1995. ‘ ‘Automated Real-Time Structure Health Monitoring via Signature Pattern Recognition,” In: Proceedings of Smart Structures and Materials Conference, San Diego, California, Feb.27 - Mar.1, Vol. 2443, pp. 236-247 .

24.

Tseng, K.K.H. and Naidu, A.S.K. 2002. “Non-parametric Damage Detection and Characterization using Smart Piezoceramic Material,” Smart Materials and Structure, 11(3): 317-329 .