Design of alternative sensors for NDE/SHM applications based on highly nonlinear solitary waves

摘要

In this paper, we describe the designs and the relative experiments of novel transducers utilized for the generation and detection of highly nonlinear solitary waves (HNSWs). In recent years these waves have been proposed for the NDE/SHM of structural materials and structural elements such as concrete and aluminum lap-joints bonded by high-strength epoxy. Conventionally these transducers contain a chain of spherical particles and the waves are measured by means of thin piezoelectric material embedded in between two half-particles. The final product is usually identified as a bead sensor. Although bead sensors can measure the propagation of HNSWs effectively, their manufacturing may require high level of precision. In this paper we propose an alternative design and investigate the use of magnetostrictive phenomenon to detect HNSWs. For both transducers' designs a series of experiments are conducted and the results are compared. As the results in good agreement, this study may pave the road to broader applications of HNSWs for NDE and SHM.