Numerical simulation for health monitoring of thin simply supported plate using PZT transducers

Abstract

PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) sensors are primarily used due to their important role in structural condition monitoring mainly in nondestructive evaluation. The electromechanical impedance (EMI) strategy is being developed as a successful tool for basic Damage identification. Local damages and flaws in the structure are characterized by variations in the electromechanical impedance signature pattern of the piezoelectric transducer that is attached to the structure. On Basing EMI techniques, numerical simulations are performed using coupled field finite element analysis on a PZT transducer bonded at various location on homogenous plate simply supported with damage in the center of plate, by inducing stiffness reduction, in ANSYS to obtain admittance signatures. RMSD is used for calculation of damage index among damaged and undamaged states. A parametric investigation of the structural stiffness and position of the PZT provides a detailed understanding of admittance signature analysis.