Smart materials based on carbon fibre-reinforced plastics with integrated piezoceramic sensors and actuators are expected to be a favorite composite for vibration damping and noise reduction. Figure 1 presents the material system and a stringer plate for fundamental investigations. Significant differences between mechanical and thermal properties of the ceramic patches and the matrix demand sophisticated manufacturing techniques. Various damage mechanisms may reduce or even destroy the sensing and actuating capabilities of the piezoceramic material. To improve the performance and to predict the reliable life-time of adaptive structures it is necessary to analyse and describe quantitatively the damage process as a complex microscale interaction between the embedded patches and the host structure. The major challenge is to create a suitable damage tolerance concept integrating a damage mechanics methodology combined with advanced non-destructive diagnostics. In extension to conventional non-destructive evaluation (NDE) after manufacturing and during inspection breaks, a smart material can be used in a self diagnostic manner to detect early damage stages. This approach results in more intelligent NDE procedures. Its successful application requires fundamental knowledge of nature, size and location of damage as well as extensive data acquisition and processing. The real-time health monitoring techniques should provide reduced maintenance costs and offer many unique opportunities to assess the structural integrity.
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