Recent advances in fibre Bragg grating (FBG) and piezoceramic lead zirconate titanate (PZT) sensors have enhanced their applicability in structural health monitoring (SHM). FBG belongs to fine class of fibre optical sensors which are extensively used in noise and vibration control and SHM of engineering structures. FBG sensors utilize intensity modulation or phase modulation techniques for sensing. On the other hand, PZT impedance sensors work on the principle of electromechanical impedance (EMI). In the EMI technique, PZT works as both sensor and actuator. When an electric field is applied on PZT, it vibrates the local area of the structure where the PZT is bonded. These vibrations are then captured by the sensing capability of PZT in terms of EMI signatures. The present paper examines the combination of FBG and PZT sensors for load monitoring. A number of FBG and PZT sensors are experimentally tested for load monitoring on various metallic specimens. The two types of sensor were bonded to a protective mounting instead of being directly bonded to host structure such that they can be removed after test and used for future application. The results are compared using statistical indices like root mean square deviation index.

Date Published: 30 March 2009
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 7292, Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2009, 72923S (30 March 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.815878

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7292:
Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2009
Masayoshi Tomizuka, Editor(s)