Development and optimization of structural monitoring and damage detection in massive elements using piezoelectric transducers and smart aggregates
Final Report Abstract
The project focuses on the development and optimization of methods for the early detection and localization of damage in massive concrete structures. Early detection of such damage can not only reduce costly repairs and maintenance, but also increase the safety and service life of structures such as bridges, high-rise buildings and infrastructure facilities. This project provides a methodology for the condition detection of massive structures and the localization of damage based on ultrasonic wave propagation. The method is suitable for both 2D (in slabs) and 3D damage localization (in solid elements) and is based on the use of numerical simulation tools and experimental measurements to ensure a cost-effective and reliable solution for damage localization. An important aspect of the project is the development of an approach that is suitable for large-scale structures and at the same time requires minimal computational resources to enable a practical and economical application in structural monitoring. As part of the project, piezoelectric materials implemented as actuators and sensors in order to detect possible damage states in structures. Structural changes are reflected in the signal response and can be detected by suitable signal analysis. New methods and improvements were developed as part of the project. In order to test the methods, comprehensive numerical simulations were carried out in ABAQUS/EXPLICIT to investigate the wave behavior in various damage scenarios. The numerical investigations enabled the relevant parameters such as mesh size, time increments and the time of flight of ultrasound waves to be optimally adjusted in order to maximize the efficiency of the interpolation methods in further steps. The 3D method was successfully validated for the first time in realistic simulations, demonstrating its applicability for more complex concrete structures. For the experimental validation, prismatic concrete samples with different positions of the damage zones were examined. Tests on these samples showed the effectiveness of the method by simulating the occurrence of damage due to spherical voids. Thanks to the efficient interpolation and filtering, damage can be precisely localized without the need for additional sensors or complex measurement setups. This efficiency makes the method particularly suitable for cost-sensitive applications. In addition, the methods offer potential for further investigations, including the application to different materials and structures as well as the integration of the algorithms into systems for real-time continuous structural monitoring.
Link to the final report
https://oa.tib.eu/renate/handle/123456789/18562
Publications
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Convergence Study on Wave Propagation in a Concrete Beam, 11th International Workshop NDT in Progress, Oct 4-7, 2021, Prague, Czech Republic; Part of 2nd ENDT Days 2021 (NDT in Progress 2021), Special Issue of e-Journal of Nondestructive Testing (eJNDT) Vol. 26(12) Issue: 2021-12, Pages 1- 10
Diab A. & Nestorović T.
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Damage Index Implementation for Structural Health Monitoring. Mechanisms and Machine Science, 783-791. Springer International Publishing.
Diab, Alaa & Nestorović, Tamara
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Numerical Investigation of the Time-of-Flight and Wave Energy Dependent Hybrid Method for Structural Damage Detection. Journal of Vibration Engineering & Technologies, 11(6), 2689-2707.
Diab, Alaa & Nestorović, Tamara
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WAVE PROPAGATION BASED DAMAGE DETECTION IN STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES. 10th ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Smart Structures and Materials, 999-1005. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics University of Patras.
Nestorović, Tamara & Diab, Alaa
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Enhancing Damage Detection in 2D Concrete Plates: A Comprehensive Study on Interpolation Methods and Parameters. Actuators, 13(4), 128.
Diab, Alaa & Nestorović, Tamara
