INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS PUBLISHING SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES

Smart Mater. Struct. 10 (2001) 907–913 PII: S0964-1726(01)26452-0

Diagnostic Lamb waves in an integrated

piezoelectric sensor/actuator plate:
analytical and experimental studies
X Lin and F G Yuan
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University,
Raleigh, NC 27695, USA

Received 5 February 2001, in final form 11 May 2001

Published 29 August 2001
Online at stacks.iop.org/SMS/10/907

Abstract
The objective of this study is to model the diagnostic transient waves in an
integrated piezoelectric sensor/actuator plate with a view to using it as a first
step towards establishing an entire structural health monitoring system and
to provide experimental verification of the proposed models. PZT ceramic
disks are surface mounted on an aluminum plate acting as both actuators and
sensors to generate and collect A0 mode Lamb waves. Mindlin plate theory
is adopted to model the propagating waves by taking both transverse shear
and rotary inertia effects into account. Actuator and sensor models are both
proposed. The interaction between an actuator and the host plate is modeled
based on classical lamination theory. The converse piezoelectric effect of
the actuator is treated as an equivalent bending moment applied to the host
plate. The sensor acts as a capacitor that converts the sensed strain change
into a voltage response. An analytical expression for the sensor output
voltage in terms of the given input excitation signal is derived, and then
experimental work is performed to verify the accuracy of the analytical
model. Experimental results show that single-mode Lamb waves in the plate
can be successfully generated and collected through the integrated PZT
disks. The experiment also shows that the predicted sensor output for both
amplitude and phase agrees well with experimentally collected data.

1. Introduction The interdigital electrode pattern in the PVDF substrate was

Lamb waves have been used in ultrasonic testing and
material evaluation for several decades, and numerous
research endeavors have been undertaken to study the feasible
methods of generating and receiving these kinds of waves
and their propagation characteristics in plate-like structures.
For the in situ or in-service health monitoring of critical
structures used in aerospace engineering, Lamb waves used
in conventional testing techniques [1, 2] cannot be directly
applied, because they usually require bulky instruments and
human interference [3].
Recently, many researchers have studied the technology
of integrating piezoelectric sensors/actuators into the structures
for the purpose of generating and collecting diagnostic Lamb
waves and thus realizing continuous monitoring of their
structural integrity [4–8]. Piezoelectric polymer film (PVDF)
bonded on the specimen was used [4] to excite Lamb waves.
controlled to generate a desirable Lamb mode shape to suppress
the dispersive effect, which has been a major barrier to the
interpretation of Lamb wave signals. The experimental results
showed that Lamb waves that ranged from 0.5 to 4 MHz
could be efficiently generated. Egusa and Iwasawa [5] made
piezoelectric paint from PZT powder, which could be coated
on complex shapes of structures to fabricate an intelligent
material system. It was proven that the paint possesses
the sensor capacity to collect dynamic signals in damage
detection applications. In the study by Moulin et al [6],
a piezoelectric element was embedded into a carbon-epoxy
composite plate, acting as an actuator, to generate Lamb
waves. The surface displacement field was predicted by
a coupled finite element (normal mode expansion) method
and was verified experimentally by optical measurement.
Keilers and Chang [7] proposed the concept of active sensing
diagnosis for detecting the size of delamination and its location

0964-1726/01/050907+07$30.00 © 2001 IOP Publishing Ltd Printed in the UK 907

X Lin and F G Yuan

  
in composite laminates. Distributed piezoelectric elements 1 ∂ψθ ∂ψr
were mounted on a composite beam to generate and receive Mθ = D ψr + +ν (2b)
r ∂θ ∂r
the diagnostic signals. The experimental data showed very
  
D 1 ∂ψr ∂ψθ
promising features of a structural integrated sensor/actuator Mrθ = (1 − ν) − ψθ + (2c)
technique for health monitoring purposes. However, little 2 r ∂θ ∂r
 
effort has been made in the analytical study of the transient ∂w
signals when both the transmitter and receiver of diagnostic Qr = κ 2 Gh ψr + (2d)
∂r
Lamb waves are made from piezoelectric materials that are  
integrated into a structure. The objectives of the current study 1 ∂w
Qθ = κ 2 Gh ψθ + . (2e)
thus are to model the diagnostic transient waves with a view r ∂θ
to establishing an entire monitoring system and to provide The equations of motion for the plate are
experimental verification for the proposed model.
For better diagnosis of the condition of structural health, an ∂Mr 1 ∂Mrθ Mr − Mθ ρh3 ∂ 2 ψr
+ + − Qr = (3a)
accurate model of a piezoelectric sensor/actuator is essential. ∂r r ∂θ r 12 ∂t 2
In this study, PZT ceramic disks are surface mounted onto
∂Mrθ 1 ∂Mθ 2Mrθ ρh3 ∂ 2 ψθ
an aluminum plate, acting as both actuators and sensors to + + − Qθ = (3b)
generate and collect A0 mode Lamb waves. Mindlin plate ∂r r ∂θ r 12 ∂t 2
theory is adopted to model the propagating waves by taking ∂Qr 1 ∂Qθ Qr ∂ 2w
+ + = ρh 2 . (3c)
both transverse shear and rotary inertia effects into account. ∂r r ∂θ r ∂t
This theory is necessary to enhance the accuracy of predicted In equations (2) and (3), E and G are Young’s modulus and
sensor response because high frequencies are always involved the shear modulus, respectively; ν is Poisson’s ratio; ρ is the
in ultrasonic monitoring systems. The actuator and the host mass density; h is the plate thickness; and D is the plate
plate together are modeled based on lamination plate theory. bending stiffness, i.e. D = Eh2 /[12(1 − ν 2 )]. In order to
The converse piezoelectric effect of the actuator is treated as match the dispersion curve to one of the three-dimensional
an equivalent bending moment applied to the host plate to elasticity solutions, the shear correction factor κ is chosen to
excite flexural waves. The sensor is modeled as a capacitor be κ 2 = π 2 /12.
that converts the sensed strain change into a voltage output. Applying Fourier transforms to (2) and (3) with respect to
Since the piezoelectric effect for both the actuator and the t and considering only axially symmetric motions, we have
sensor was taken into consideration, an analytical expression  
for the sensor voltage output in terms of a given excitation d ν
M̃r = D + ψ̃r (4a)
signal is derived. An experiment apparatus is then set up dr r
with the facilities of providing driven power for the PZT  
d 1
actuators and the data acquisition capacity for the recording M̃θ = D ν + ψ̃r (4b)
of the transient wave signals. Experimental results show that dr r
 
single-mode Lamb waves in the plate can be successfully dw̃
generated and collected through the integrated PZT actuators Q̃r = κ 2 Gh ψ̃r + (4c)
dr
and sensors. The experiment also verifies the accuracy of  
the model including the sensor/actuator. Both the amplitude d 1 Mθ ρω2 h3
+ M̃r − − Qr = − ψ̃r (5a)
and the phase of the collected data agree well with the data dr r r 12
calculated from the model.  
d 1
+ Q̃r = −ρω2 hw̃ (5b)
dr r
2. Flexural waves in a plate  +∞
where f˜(r, ω) = −∞ e−iωt f (r, t) dt, f represents any of the
Since the actuator voltages are applied to the piezoelectrics, Mr , Mθ , Qr , ψr , and w. Substituting (4) into (5), we obtain
the actuators are mostly in the high-frequency range, and the equations of motion in terms of plate displacement and
the transverse shear effect in the host plate should be taken rotation:
into consideration. To account for this effect, Mindlin plate  2 
d 1 d 1 ρω2 h3 κ 2 Gh κ 2 Gh dw̃
equations are used as the plate governing equations. In a polar + − + − ψ̃r − =0
dr 2 r dr r 2 12D D D dr
coordinate system, the displacement fields of a Mindlin plate (6)
are expressed as    2 
d 1 d 1 d ρω2
+ ψ̃r + + + w̃ = 0. (7)
dr r dr 2 r dr κ 2 G
ur = zψr (r, θ, t) uθ = zψθ (r, θ, t)
By eliminating ψ̃r from (6) and (7), we can get an exclusive
uz = w(r, θ, t). (1) equation for transverse displacement w̃:
The constitutive law relating bending moments Mr , Mθ ,
(∇ 4 + A∇ 2 + B)w̃(r, ω) = 0 (8)
twisting moment Mrθ and shear forces Qr , Qθ to plate
displacements for an isotropic plate is given by [9] where

   
∂ψr ν ∂ψθ d2 1 d ρh3 ρ
Mr = D + ψr + (2a) ∇2 = + A= + 2 ω2
∂r r ∂θ dr 2 r dr 12D κ G

908
 Diagnostic Lamb waves

and   Substituting (12) into (14) yields

ρ 2 h3 ρh
B= ω 2
− ω2 . ρω2 DC
12κ 2 GD D M̃r = F (r) (15)
Assuming the input frequency is lower than the cut-off κ 2 GB
√
frequency, ω
(2κ/ h) 3G/ρ, the solution is only composed where function F (r) is defined as
of one propagating wave. In this case, B is negative. Defining  
κ 2 GB
two positive real wavenumbers k1 and k2 , F (r) = A − − k 2
ρω2 1
   
2 
k12 = A2 − 4B + A 2 k22 = A2 − 4B − A 2 k νk1 (2) k2
× 1 H2(2) (k1 r) − H1 (k1 r) − 1 H0(2) (k1 r)
2 r 2
equation (8) can be transformed into  
2
κ 2 GB k
 2  2  + A− + k22 2
H (2) (−ik2 r)
d 1 d d 1 d ρω2 2 2
+ + k 2
+ − k 2 w̃ = 0.
2
(9) 
dr 2 r dr 1
dr 2 r dr iνk2 (2) k22 (2)
− H1 (−ik2 r) − H0 (−ik2 r) . (16)
r 2
Equation (9) is the governing equation for modeling the host
plate. The complete solution of (9) includes the solutions of
both a standard Bessel equation 3. Sensor and actuator model

d2 w̃ 1 dw̃ According to the IEEE compact matrix notation [11], the

+ + k12 w̃ = 0 (10a) coupled electromechanical constitutive equations of a linear
dr 2 r dr
piezoelectric material are written as
and a modified Bessel equation
direct piezoelectric effect: D = εT E + dσ (17)
d2 w̃ 1 dw̃ converse piezoelectric effect: ε=s σ+dE E

(18)
+ − k22 w̃ = 0. (10b)
dr 2 r dr where D (charge/area) and E (voltage/length) are the
For the outward propagating waves generated at the center of electric displacement and electric field respectively. ε and
the plate, the solution can be best expressed as σ are the mechanical strain and stress, d, εT and sE are
the piezoelectric strain constant, dielectric permittivity and
w̃ = C1 H0(2) (k1 r) − C2 H0(2) (−ik2 r) (11) compliance constant, respectively. The superscripts E and
T indicate that the values of the constants are obtained at a
where H0(2) is a Hankel function of the second kind of zero constant electrical field and constant stress respectively and
order and C1 and C2 are constants that can be determined by these superscripts will be omitted in the expressions hereafter.
boundary and initial conditions. By use of the asymptotic According to (17), if an electric field E is applied to a free
property of the Hankel function with small argument piezoelectric, strain ε is induced according to the piezoelectric
2i strain constant d
. The superscript
represents the transpose of
H0(2) (r) ≈ − ln(r) as r → 0 the matrix. However, if the piezoelectric cannot freely stretch
π
due to some mechanical constraint, such as being bonded on a
it can be observed that in order to satisfy the requirement of plate, stresses are introduced to compensate for the constraint
finite displacement at the origin r = 0, C1 and C2 must be effect. Similarly, in (18), stresses will induce dielectrics D and
equal. Thus, the solution of w̃ is expressed as compensation takes place for existent external electric field.
The constitutive relations in (17) and (18) can be written as
w̃ = C[H0(2) (k1 r) − H0(2) (−ik2 r)] (12)  D1   ε1 0 0 0 0 0 0 d15 0   E1 

   E2 
 D2 
   0 ε1 0 0 0 0 d15 0 0  
 
E 


in which constant C can be determined by the applied 
 D 
3   0 0 ε d d d 0 0 0   3 

  3
 ε11   0 0 d31 s11 s12 s13 0
31 31 33
 
 

loading condition. This form of solution has been verified by  0
 σ11
comparing it with both the finite difference simulation result [8] ε22 = 0 0 d31 s12 s11 s13 0 0 0  σ22 .

 ε33 
  0   σ33 
and Medick’s solution [10] for thin plate theory. 
 γ23  
0 0 d33 s13 s13 s33 0 0  
 σ23 
 

 
  d s  
 
 σ13 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
By differentiating (7) with respect to r and subtracting the 
 γ13  d15 0
15
0 0 0 0
55
0 s55 0  

result from (6), we can write ψ̃r in terms of w̃, γ12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 s66 σ12

 (19)
ρω2 d d2 1 d κ 2 GB
ψ̃r = 2 + +A− w̃. (13) Here we assume the poling direction is along the z-axis and is
κ GB dr dr 2 r dr ρω2 perpendicular to the surface of the plate (or the PZT disk). For
The bending moment can be expressed from (4a) as the thin PZT ceramic disk used in this study, the constitutive

equations for the transversely isotropic solid without in-plane
ρω2 D d d3 1 + ν d2 external electric field E1 = E2 = 0 in terms of the polar
M̃r = 2 +
κ GB dr dr 3 r dr 2 coordinate system can be simplified as
 
κ 2 GB 2−ν d
+ A− − D3 = ε3 E3 + d31 (σr + σθ ) (20a)
ρω2 r2 dr
  
κ 2 GB ν 2 − ν Ep
+ A− + w̃. (14) σr = [(εr + νp εθ ) − (1 + νp )d31 E3 ] (20b)
ρω2 r r3 1 − νp2

909
X Lin and F G Yuan

By use of the moment equilibrium about the neutral axis of the

combined PZT disk and the plate (r < a, where a is the radius
of the PZT disk)
 h/2  h/2+hp
2π rσr z dz + 2π rσrp z dz = 0 (24)
0 h/2

the interface stress can be found:

Figure 1. Experimental configuration. 6(hhp Ep (h + hp )
σri = (25)
(1 − νp )[h3+ 2αhp (3h2 + 4h2p + 6hhp )]
Ep where
σθ = [(εθ + νp εr ) − (1 + νp )d31 E3 ]. (20c)
1 − νp2 1 − ν Ep
α= . (26)
1 − νp E
In equation (20), the plane stress condition has been assumed.
The bending moment induced from the piezoelectric effect is
assumed to be concentrated along the circumference of the
3.1. Actuator model PZT disk with radius r = a, and it can be evaluated by
Two thin PZT disks are bonded at the same location on the top  h/2
and bottom surfaces of a plate (figure 1). With the polarization Mr |r=a = σr z dz = CmV Vin (27)
−h/2
direction aligned with the z-axis, the electrodes of these two
actuators are connected to a same voltage Vin with opposite where the voltage–moment conversion coefficient is defined
sign. The actuators thus apply equal traction on the two sides by
of the plate with opposite directions. The resultant bending
h3 d31 Ep (h + hp )
moment on the plate along the circumference of the actuator CmV = . (28)
is uniform and flexural waves are therefore generated. (1 − νp )[h3 + 2αhp (3h2 + 4h2p + 6hhp )]
For a free (unconstrained) PZT actuator without in-plane By satisfying the boundary condition (equation (27)), the
external electric field and applied stress, the induced in-plane constant C in (15) is determined in terms of the excitation
strain by applying a voltage across the z-direction in a polar voltage
coordinate system can be expressed as κ 2 GBCmV
C= Vin . (29)
d31 ρω2 DF (a)
εrp = εθp = d31 E3 = Vin ≡ ( (21)
hp 3.2. Sensor model
where the subscript p refers to the PZT actuator and hp is the A single PZT disk with thickness hp and radius a is mounted on
thickness of the PZT disk. The piezo actuators are perfectly a plate and acts as a sensor. The distance between the centers of
mounted on the plate and are sufficiently small that they do the actuator and the sensor is R. Ignoring the external electric
not significantly affect the stiffness of the plate. ( is the free field Ei = 0 and only considering x
–y
plane deformation, the
piezoelectric strain. The strain at the interface between the constitutive equation for the sensor (direct piezoelectric effect)
plate and the PZT should be equal to ensure the continuity is simplified from (20a) into
(εrip = εri , εθi p = εθi ). Thus, from equation (20b), the stress of
d31 Ep
the PZT at the interface (converse piezoelectric effect) can be D = d31 (σr
+ σθ
) = (εr
+ εθ
) (30)
written as (combined unstrained strain due to the piezoelectric 1 − νp
and the constrained strain of the plate) where x
y
z
is a local coordinate with origin at the center of the
sensor and r
, θ
are the local polar coordinates. The scattering
Ep
σrip = [ε i + νp εθi − (1 + νp )(] (22) effect of the sensor to the incidence waves is also neglected
1 − νp2 r in the current study. The electric charges Q accumulated on
the top and bottom surfaces of the plate are equal and can be
where the superscript i refers to the interface of the PZT and calculated by
the plate. In the following derivation, both the host plate and 
piezoelectric actuators are sufficiently thin so that lamination 1
Q= ∇ · D dV . (31)
plate theory can be applied. Based on lamination plate theory, 4π
by assuming that the strains of both the plate and the PZT Substituting (30) into (31) and applying Gauss’s theorem yields
distribute linearly across the plate thickness with the same 
slope [12], the normal stresses σr are then obtained as d31 Ep
Q= (εr
+ εθ
)r dr
dθ
. (32)
4π(1 − νp )
2σri
σr = z (23a) By treating the PZT sensor as a capacitor (Ca ), the output
h
voltage of the sensor is then expressed as [13]
1 − ν Ep 2σri Ep Q Qhp
σr p = z− (. (23b) Vout = = (33)
1 − νp E h 1 − νp Ca πK3 ε0 a 2

910
 Diagnostic Lamb waves

where K3 is the relative dielectric constant and ε0 = 8.85 × 50

10−12 F m−1 is the dielectric permittivity of a free space.
Substituting (33) into (32) yields
25

d31 Ep hp

V p (Volt)
Vout = (εr
+ εθ
)r
dr
dθ
. (34)
4K3 ε0 (πa)2 (1 − νp ) 0

Assuming that the sensor is sufficiently small and the strain is

constant inside the sensor area -25

εr
≈ εθ
≈ εR (35)
-50
0 20 40 60 80 100
where εR is the strain at the center of the PZT sensor, Time t (µ s)
equation (34) is then approximated by (a)
d31 Ep hp εR 5
Vout = . (36)
4K3 ε0 π(1 − νp )
4

V p ( × 10 3 V olt)
Knowing that ur (x, y, t) = zψr (x, y, t), differentiating (13)
gives 3
 
ρω2 hC κ 2 GB 2 2 (2) (2)
ε̃R = 2 A− −k 1 k1 [H2 (k1 R)−H0 (k1 R)]
2
4κ GB ρω2 ~
  
κ 2 GB (2) (2) 1
+ A− + k 2
k 2
[H (−ik 2 R) − H (−ik 2 R)] .
ρω2 2 2 2 0
0
(37) 0 100 200 300 400
Frequency f (kHz )
Combining equations (29), (36) and (37), the ratio of Vout to
Vin in the frequency domain gives (b)
 
Ṽout d31 Ep hhp CmV κ 2 GB Figure 2. (a) The waveform in the time domain with five peaks and
= A− − k1 k12
2
(b) the 100 kHz central frequency of the amplitude spectrum in the
Ṽin 16π K3 ε0 (1 − νp )DF (a) ρω2
  frequency domain.
(2) (2) κ 2 GB
×[H2 (k1 R) − H0 (k1 R)] + A − + k2 k22
2
ρω2 where fc is the central frequency and H (t) is a Heaviside step

×[H2(2) (−ik2 R) − H0(2) (−ik2 R)] . (38) function. The time domain waveform and amplitude spectrum
of this excitation signal in the frequency domain with a central
The time domain response of the sensor output can be obtained frequency of 100 kHz are shown in figures 2(a) and 2(b),
by an inverse Fourier transform of equation (38). It should be respectively. It can be found through frequency domain
noted that the frequency dependence for all the piezoelectric analysis that the frequency components for this excitation
constants is neglected in this model. signal are concentrated in a small range around the central
frequency fc , thus the dispersive effect of the wave propagation
can be reduced, which is beneficial for the interpretation of data
4. Experimental results and the comparison with received. In fact, the controllable diagnostic signal is one of the
model predictions advantages of an active monitoring system. The PZT sensors
The experimental configuration is shown as figure 1. The collect the waves and convert them into electrical signals,
PZT ceramic disks PKI-402 (Piezo Kinetics, Inc) are surface which are piped into a data acquisition board (Model 5911,
mounted on an aluminum plate as actuators and on one side of National Instrument, Inc) and recorded in its host PC.
the plate as a sensor to generate and collect the flexural waves, Figure 3 compares the sensor output between the
respectively. The material constants and the dimensions for experimental data and model calculations. Three cases are
both the plate and the PZT are listed in table 1. given, with different sensor–actuator distances. The results
A waveform generator (Hewlett Packard 33120A) show that the experimental data agree very well with the
generates the excitation signal. The signal is first amplified by calculated data for both the amplitude and phase of the
a wideband power amplifier (Model 7602, Krohn-Hite, Inc), it response. As expected, the curve of sensor output retains
then drives a pair of PZT actuators to generate transient bending the original wave shape of the input signal, which means that
waves. The function generator generates a transient five-peak the dispersive effect is effectively suppressed by choosing a
input voltage signal and the input voltage applied on the PZT narrow banded excitation signal. It also demonstrates that the
actuator according to the formula desired single-mode Lamb waves can be generated in an active
structural health monitoring system by properly choosing the
 
2πfc t actuator configuration and excitation characteristics.
Vin (t) = 40[H (t) − H (t − 5/fc )] 1 − cos sin 2πfc t
5 Figure 4 displays the sensor output with different sensor–
(39) actuator distances. For this case, the transient waves are

911
X Lin and F G Yuan

Table 1. Material properties and geometry of the Al-6061 host plate and the PKI-402 piezoelectric disks. Note, N/A means not applicable.
Piezoelectric
Young’s Relative charge
modulus E Poisson’s Density ρ dielectric coefficient d31 Thickness h Radius a Dimensions
Material (N m−2 ) ratio ν (kg m−3 ) constant K3 (m V−1 ) (cm) (cm) (cm × cm)
Al-6061 72.5 × 109 0.30 2710 N/A N/A 0.160 N/A 102 × 81
PKI-402 76.0 × 109 0.31 7600 1280 130 × 10−12 0.025 0.318 N/A

300 300
Experiment al Data Experiment al Data

Analytical Solution Analytical Solution

Output Voltage (m V)

Output Voltage (m V)
150 150

0 0

-150 -150

-300 -300
0 50 100 15 00 0 50 100 15 00
Tim e t (µ s) Tim e t (µ s)
(a) (a)
300 300
Experiment al Data Experiment al Data

Analytical Solution Analytical Solution

Output Voltage (m V)

Output Voltage (m V)

150 150

0 0

-150 -150

-300 -300
0 50 100 15 00 0 100 20 00
Tim e t (µ s) Tim e t (µ s)
(b) (b)
300 Figure 4. Sensor output with different actuator–sensor distances
Experiment al Data
(fc = 100 kHz): (a) R = 10 cm and (b) R = 36 cm.
Analytical Solution
Output Voltage (m V)

150
the experimental data is even larger than for the model data,
which is unrealistic if some factors in the real environment,
0 such as attenuation, energy dissipation, etc, are taken into
consideration. The explanation for this phenomenon is that the
-150 same values of the piezoelectric constants are used in model
calculation for both pairs of PZT actuators. However, the
actual values vary considerably, and the percentage deviation
-300 may reach up to 10% according to the data sheet provided by
0 50 100 15 00
Tim e t (µ s) the manufacturer. Thus, the discrepancy shown in the curves
(c) in view of real applications is acceptable.
Figure 5 shows the sensor output in the cases where the
Figure 3. Sensor output with different actuator–sensor distances
(fc = 100 kHz): (a) R = 15 cm, (b) R = 20 cm, and input voltage is applied to the PZT actuators with different
(c) R = 25 cm. central frequencies for constant R = 36 cm. The experimental
data in this figure were collected from the response excited
by the second pair of actuators. The calculated data agree
excited by another pair of actuators bonded on the plate. well with the real data. The figure also shows that the
The experimental response and calculated data are still in experimental response is delayed compared to the calculated
good agreement. Attentive observation reveals that the data and this phase error increases as the excitation frequency
amplitude discrepancy is raised compared to the case in increases. This might be caused by the neglect of the
figure 3. Furthermore, it is noticed that the amplitude in frequency dependence of the piezoelectric effect in the model.

912
 Diagnostic Lamb waves

200 study. Although the model is simple, it can predict with

Experimental Data
enough accuracy both the amplitude and the phase of the sensor
Output Voltage (m V)

Analytical Solution
output for damage detection applications. A small discrepancy
100
between calculated data and experimental data exists, which
might result from the perfect bonding assumption and omission
0 of the stiffness for both the actuators and the sensors. This
model could provide a convenient and efficient method to
verify the status of integrated sensors/actuators and could even
-100
be used to calibrate the monitoring system. In this study, only
the first modes of the antisymmetric waves in the plate are
-200 considered under the restriction that the PZT actuators are
0 100 200 300 40 00
mounted symmetrically, corresponding to the middle plane of
Tim e t (µ s)
the plate, and only pure bending motion is generated. For
(a)
other PZT built-in configurations, symmetric motion will be
200 induced and needs to be included into the model. Another
Experimental Data
restriction to this model is that it can only correctly predict
Output Voltage (m V)

Analytical Solution the sensor response when the input frequency does not exceed
100
the cut-off frequency of the thickness shear waves. Otherwise,
more than a single mode of motion will occur and a higher-
0 order approximation other than Mindlin plate theory needs to
be adopted to model the problem, which will be the topic of
-100
future study.

-200
References
0 100 20 00
Tim e t (µ s) [1] Graff K F 1991 Wave Motion in Elastic Solids (New York:
(b) Dover)
[2] Rose J L 1999 Ultrasonic Waves in Solid Media (Cambridge:
200
Cambridge University Press)
Experimental Data
[3] Achenbach J D and Thompson D O 1991 Towards quantitative
Output Voltage (m V)

Analytical Solution nondestructive evaluation of aging aircraft Structural

100
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and P Tong (Berlin: Springer) pp 1–13
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