Point-by-Point Scanning Piezoelectric Phased Array for detecting damage for SHM

he aim of the present work is to develop a system of smart devices that could be permanently attached on the surface of the structure for monitoring cracks in most aerospace structures in isolated environments. It is shown that temporal and spatial focusing can be achieved through synthetic time-reversal array method for a linear phase array of sensors and actuators. A Piezoelectric phased array system performs a point-by-point scan in which focusing allow the inspection of large areas. Damage to the structure can be inferred if there is a significant change in the transient response of the structure using the analysis of the amplitude of the received signal. The location of this damaged area can be determined using the analysis of the time it reaches the transducer. By the method of synthesis of received signal time delay from multiple sensors, we can considerably enhance the signal strength, thus reducing the negative effects of noises to solve the tough problem of processing the echo signal. The results suggest an accuracy better than 1 mm in finding the location of crack tips.