A structural health monitoring (SHM) paradigm based on the simultaneous use of ultrasounds and electromechanical impedance (EMI) is proposed to monitor waveguides. The paradigm uses guided ultrasonic waves (GUWs) in pulse-echo and pitch-catch mode, and EMI simultaneously. The three nondestructive methodologies are driven by the same sensing/hardware/software unit. To assess the feasibility of this unified system an aluminum plate was monitored by means of two transducers. Damage was simulated by adding small masses to the plate. The results associated with pulse-echo and pitch-catch GUW testing and with EMI monitoring show that the proposed system is robust and can be developed further to address the challenges associated with the SHM of complex structures.
doi: 10.12783/SHM2015/91