Research on the Multi-Actuator and Sensor Detecting Technology Based on Piezoelectric Composite Materials
Traditional ultrasonic methods are popular in identifying easily detectable cracks, but are not good enough in minute crack detection. Early damage identification is important in preventing larger crack development and future catastrophes. Highly sensitive and precise actuator/sensor is employed to improve the detection capability of these minute cracks. The Orthotropic Piezoelectric Composite Material (OPCM) has been developed as a functional material that can be conveniently used as a highly sensitive actuator/sensor. Comparing the OPCM with the traditional elements, the former has the ability of exciting and receiving focus power and directional strain waves. They have been used in non-destructive technology in many structural engineering inspections. Using the filtering capabilities of the OPCM sensor and Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) method, the experimental results show that by using the multi-actuator and sensor, the simulated cracks inside aluminum plane specimen can be successfully identified.