Within this thesis there are three distinct studies related to the implementation of piezoelectric materials. These include a study on the vibration suppression capabilities of self-sensing piezoelectric patches, damage detection of pipe joints, followed by a study on the effects of embedding piezoelectric patches into fiber reinforced laminate plates. Due to the unusual nature of this thesis involving three such distinct applications, attempts will be made to switch the mindset of the reader when a new field is being introduced in this thesis.; An overview of the field of smart materials and structures are investigated in the first two chapters of this report. These chapters will provide the reader with the information required to fully appreciate the different aspects of smart materials and their desirable and practical applications. These chapters will also introduce the reader to the different topics and practical engineering issues, such as vibration suppression, damage detection, and the influence of embedding sensors into fiber reinforced polymer composites, followed by synopses of some of the works conducted to date.; Chapter 3 of this thesis provides the results from an experimental investigation into the capabilities of small piezoelectric patches for vibration suppression of FRP plates, as well as PVC piping. The efficiency of both surface bonded and embedded piezoelectric sensors/actuators was investigated for laboratory scale FRP plates. It was found that dramatic vibration suppression was achievable in the FRP plates with the use of a simple control system, and the comparison of the results for the embedded actuator relative to the surface bonded actuator showed excellent correlation to the linear theory. However, it was not possible to effectively suppress the vibration in the PVC pipes examined.; Chapter 4 is designed to switch the focus of the reader from vibration suppression to damage detection applications. Within this chapter, methods of data measurement, signal processing, data analysis, and damage evaluation methods are detailed. This chapter will provide the reader with the fundamental information required to appreciate how damage detection systems operate.; Chapter 5 provides the results of an extensive experimental investigation using a state of the art damage detection system that was developed to determine joint load loss in adhesively bonded as well as mechanically fastened pipes with the use of piezoelectric sensors. Within these investigations the effects of sensor location, damage location, loading locations and support conditions were studied. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
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