Abstract:
A novel, robust, directional transducer design to be used in guided-wave (GW) structural health monitoring (SHM) applications is presented. The paper describes the design and preliminary fabrication of a novel piezoelectric-fiber-based transducer to be used in structural integrity monitoring schemes. The work proposed here aims to extend frequency steered acoustic transducers (FSATs) concept so to develop a new, robust piezocomposite actuator. This new transducer aims to leverage the advanced design of the FSAT concept, and the durability and robustness associated with piezoelectric fibers–based constructions. This new actuator performs even in harsh environments, can conform to curved surfaces and is suitable to application to metal and composite components of the kind typically found in rotorcraft structures.