Effect of Different Weight on the Movable PZT Device on the Damage Detection Performance of Electromechanical Impedance Technique

Abstract

This study presents a novel approach to conducting the electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique for delamination detection in composite structures without the need for permanently attaching PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) transducers to the surface. Instead, a device is created that can be simply placed on top of the composite structure, enabling one to perform the EMI technique for detecting damage. The primary objective is to investigate the effectiveness of this device in detecting delamination within composite materials. Additionally, this study explores the impact of placing additional weight on top of the transducer to investigate the performance of the device subjected to higher pressure. Experimental results and analysis will be presented to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of this approach for non-destructive testing and structural health monitoring of composite components. This research is significant as it lays the groundwork for developing automated damage detection systems using robotics in the near future. By demonstrating the proposed concept that can be easily integrated into robotic platforms, this study contributes to the advancement of automation in structural health monitoring. Implementing this technique in robotic systems has the potential to revolutionize maintenance practices by enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of composite structures, enhancing safety, and minimizing downtime due to structural defects. Moreover, the investigation into the impact of additional weight on the transducer’s performance is crucial for setting minimum weight limits in robotic systems, ensuring optimal functionality and accuracy during automated damage detection tasks.