Damage Detection in a Composite T-Joint using Guided Lamb Waves

Abstract

An integrated network of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoelectric transducers could be used to monitor a structure over time for life prognosis through generation and sensing of guided ultrasonic waves. The aim of this study is to develop such a sensing method for damage assessment in a composite T-joint and subsequently follow its evolution under mechanical loading. In this context, monitoring of Lamb waves in a composite T-joint has been completed where dispersion and tuning curves have been obtained. Guided waves are transmitted into the structure through different pairs of transducers in a pitch-catch active structural health monitoring (SHM) approach. With these experiments, Lamb wave modes have been identified and a baseline achieved, that will be used in the near future to reliably detect impact damage