Damage detection in composite plates with embedded PZT transducers

This paper presents a concept of a structural health monitoring system based on PZT transducers. Taking advantage of spectral element method simulations of A0 mode of the Lamb waves propagating in a multilayer composite plate have been carried out. Based on obtained signals for a clock-like configuration of sensors, a damage detection algorithm has been proposed. The results for the proposed algorithm have been presented in the form of damage maps. It can be concluded that the clock-like sensor configuration is suitable for embedding in composite plates because information about wave velocities at each angle can be included. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.