Procedure to Use PZT Sensors in Vibration and Load Measurements

In situ correlation procedure is developed for electromechanically coupled PZT sensors to output the structural responses in standard engineering format, namely, displacement, strain, acceleration, and so forth. In order to implement this idea, we have used the standard sensing devices such as laser displacement sensor, strain gauge, and accelerometer. Aluminum beams and composite plate are employed in the experiments as specimens. The experimental results have shown that the structural reactions at critical locations can be monitored by a dynamically correlated PZT patch sensor, besides measuring the intensity of load in terms of acceleration. Furthermore, the influence of damage on sensor correlation has been evaluated. It is seen that the presence of damage has significantly modified the interpreted engineering parameters from the PZT patch and if they are appropriately correlated with respect to healthy structure, then the occurrence of damage related information will be ascertained. The developed sensor correlation concept therefore may be useful in load monitoring, health monitoring, and structural control applications.