Structural Health Monitoring of Piezolaminated Smart Structures Using Electrical Impedance Method

In spite of substantial improvements in material strength and increased accuracy in analysis in Design and Analysis with the aid of digital computers, gradual detoriation of structures during prolonged usage cannot be completely ruled out. This has been proven by many recent accidents such as sudden Bridge Collapses and in-flight break downs of Aircrafts and shuttles, causing immense loss in lives and properties. Hence, the idea of equipping structures with sensors and actuators in an attempt to impart "smartness" has great potential in cost-effective predictive maintenance of structures, particularly for high performance components not easily accessible for manual inspections. There is a huge demand in finding out a new method of SHM in Civil Engineering Structures, which should be a feasible, low cost, light weight and appropriate method to predict the damage in advance to save the Lives and property. In this report, the importance of Smart materials, especially Piezoelectric materials in Various Applications in field of Engineering have been discussed. SHM principle and case studies related to SHM have been discussed. Electro-mechanical Impedance method and their applications in SHM of Civil Structures is explained along with a Case study of Utilization of Piezoelectric material in RC Structures in SHM applications have been discussed along with the discussion of results.