Abstract
Guided waves in plate-like structures have been widely investigated for structural health monitoring. Lamb waves and shear horizontal (SH) waves, two commonly used types of waves in plates, provide different benefits for the detection of various types of defects and material degradation. However, there are few sensors that can detect both Lamb and SH waves and also resolve their modal content, namely the wavenumber-frequency spectrum. A sensor that can detect both waves is desirable to take full advantage of both types of waves in order to improve sensitivity to different discontinuity geometries. We demonstrate that polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) film provides the basis for a multi-element array sensor that detects both Lamb and SH waves and also measures their modal content, i.e., the wavenumber-frequency spectrum.
Highlights
Ultrasonic guided waves have been widely researched for structural health monitoring (SHM) [1]because of their large volume coverage and good sensitivity to various defects
Since the piezoelectric fiber composites (PFC) usually has higher quality factor Q due to its high piezoelectric coupling coefficient, its bandwidth is expected to be significantly narrower than polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF)
The second numerical study is focused on the selection of an optimized width of PVDF film
Summary
Ultrasonic guided waves have been widely researched for structural health monitoring (SHM) [1]. The interdigital or comb electrodes are preferentially tuned to wavelengths equal to the electrode spacing These types of transducers may not receive converted modes with a wavelength different than the incident wave. Since the PFC usually has higher quality factor Q due to its high piezoelectric coupling coefficient, its bandwidth is expected to be significantly narrower than PVDF This will limit its use in different frequency ranges. Its array configuration guarantees that wavenumber-frequency analysis by signal post-processing enables different modes at the same frequency to be resolved and separated Such a low-profile, low-mass, conformable, inexpensive sensor is ideal for SHM and other applications [23,24]. Wave actuation could come from any source, for SHM many of the same features are desirable
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
