Damage assessment in concrete structures using piezoelectric based sensors

Damage assessment in concrete structures using piezoelectric based sensors

Piezoelectric based PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) smart sensors offer significant potential for continuously monitoring the development and progression of internal damage in concrete structures. Changes in the resonant behavior in the measured electrical conductance obtained from electro-mechanical (EM) response of a PZT bonded to a concrete substrate is investigated for increasing levels of damage. Changes in the conductance resonant signature from EM conductance measurements are detected before visible signs of cracking. The root mean square deviation of the conductance signature at resonant peaks is shown to accurately reflect the level of damage in the substrate. The findings presented here provide a basis for developing a sensing methodology using PZT patches for continuous monitoring of concrete structures.Keywords: PZT; electro-mechanical impedance; conductance; microcracks.