Detection of Disbond Growth in a Cyclically Loaded Bonded Composite Repair Patch Using Surface-mounted Piezoceramic Elements

This paper reports on an experimental study in which an array of surface-mounted lead zirconate titanate elements (PZT) are used for the in situ detection of disbond growth in a bonded composite repair patch. Two techniques are used to track the evolution of disbond growth: the transfer function method and the electromechanical impedance method. Both techniques were found to provide a reliable and robust basis for the detection of disbond growth. The results also demonstrate the importance of transducer placement relative to the disbond location as a factor in the sensitivity to disbond growth.