Numerical analysis for structural health monitoring of a damaged composite panel using PZT actuators and sensors

A. Nagabhushana; M. Spiegel; S. Adu; N. Hayes; D. Paul; K. Trivedi; B. Fairbee; H. Zheng; A. Gerrity; S. Kotru; S. Roy; M. Barkey; S. L. Burkett

doi:10.1117/12.914946

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30 March 2012 Numerical analysis for structural health monitoring of a damaged composite panel using PZT actuators and sensors

A. Nagabhushana, M. Spiegel, S. Adu, N. Hayes, D. Paul, K. Trivedi, B. Fairbee, H. Zheng, A. Gerrity, S. Kotru, S. Roy, M. Barkey, S. L. Burkett

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Proceedings Volume 8346, Smart Sensor Phenomena, Technology, Networks, and Systems Integration 2012; 834613 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.914946
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Reliable damage detection is crucial for assessing the integrity of a structure. In this paper, a numerical study of a composite panel fabricated to simulate a crack is undertaken using finite element methods (FEM). The damage to be considered is a transverse crack which pre-exists in the structure. The finite element models are developed for an undamaged and a damaged composite panel to compute the change in Lamb wave response due to the existence of a crack. The model is validated using shear lag analysis applied at the crack. The results are verified experimentally by comparing the results for an undamaged composite panel and a composite panel fabricated with a simulated crack using the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The responses for each panel are obtained using surface mounted lead zirconate titanate (PZT) actuators and sensors. PZT is used to generate Lamb waves which produce stress throughout the panel thickness. Propagation characteristics of Lamb waves are varied by the presence of damage. The sensor data provide reliable information about the integrity of the structure. Numerical results are compared to the sensor output to ensure accuracy of the damage detection system.

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A. Nagabhushana, M. Spiegel, S. Adu, N. Hayes, D. Paul, K. Trivedi, B. Fairbee, H. Zheng, A. Gerrity, S. Kotru, S. Roy, M. Barkey, and S. L. Burkett "Numerical analysis for structural health monitoring of a damaged composite panel using PZT actuators and sensors", Proc. SPIE 8346, Smart Sensor Phenomena, Technology, Networks, and Systems Integration 2012, 834613 (30 March 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.914946

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