Development of single channeled serial-connected piezoelectric sensor array and damage visualization based on multi-source wave propagation imaging

Abstract

Piezoelectric sensors have been widely used for structural health monitoring. However, a single piezoelectric sensor has limited coverage, and multi-channel piezoelectric sensors require massive cabling and channeling devices. This article presents a serial-connected piezoelectric sensor array equipped with conductive fabric tape for damage diagnosis on a wide area, structure using an ultrasonic propagation imaging system. The sensor array was developed as a single channel sensing technique with multiple sensors. Using conductive fabric tape for installation provided convenient and compact installation, light weight, and comparatively low attenuation, compared with the lead wire for the easy smartilization of structures. An aluminum plate with various artificial damages was tested with the proposed sensor array combined with the ultrasonic propagation imaging system. The ultrasonic propagation imaging system stimulated the sensitive areas of the serially connected piezoelectrics and generated multi-wave sources covering a wide area. The multi-source wave propagation video visualized the damages in the form of anomalous waves. Consequently, multi-cabling and multi-channeling are not required because multiple piezoelectrics can be deployed by serial connections using conductive fabric tapes because of the multi-source wavefield generating capability of the ultrasonic propagation imaging system. Therefore, light-weight, compact, and easy installation of the sensor network and inspection for full-scale structures become possible.