Directional piezoelectric phased array filters for detecting damage in isotropic plates

摘要

Phased array filters using piezoelectric sensors are presented as an approach to detect damage in isotropic plates. Plate dynamics can be described in terms of wave propagation. Boundaries and other discontinuities, such as damage, produce reflections from incident wavefronts. Phased arrays, acting as a directional filter, can be used along with a wave propagation approach to look in different directions on a plate. Damage to the plate can be inferred if there is a significant change in the transient response of the plate. The location of this damaged area can be determined using the phased sensor array response. This paper presents results from simulated damage on an isotropic plate. A piezoelectric sensor array is used to actively interrogate the plate to determine the presence and location of damage using low frequency Lamb waves.