Numerical modeling of damage detection in concrete beams using piezoelectric patches

• Damage detection process is modeled in a concrete beam with piezoelectric patches.
• 3D finite element model of PZT smart aggregate was developed.
• Explicit FEM is very efficient for modeling wave propagation.
• With crack propagation damage index is increasing.
• Numerical and experimental results are completely consistent.

Research and development of active monitoring systems for reinforced concrete structures should lead to improved structural safety and reliability. Numerical models of active monitoring and damage detection systems can help in the development and implementation of these systems. Modeling of damage detection process in a concrete beam with piezoelectric sensors/actuators based on wave propagation is investigated in this paper. Numerical modeling process is divided into two parts: (1) piezoelectric smart aggregates (SA), and (2) wave propagation models. Displacement obtained in the SA model is used as an input parameter for the modeling of wave propagation. Wavelet analysis is used as a signal processing tool and the damage index is calculated based on the wave energy. In this paper root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) damage index is used. Damage indices obtained by this numerical analysis are compared with experimental results. Very good fit between the finite element (FE) results and experimental results confirm a good FE approach of this problem.