The Coupled Dynamic Behavior of Piezoelectric Sensors Bonded to Elastic Media

Surface-bonded piezoelectric sensors can be used to monitor the mechanical behavior of structures for damage detection. This article provides a comprehensive theoretical study of the dynamic coupling between a surface piezoelectric sensor and an elastic half-plane. Attention is focused on the transformation of mechanical deformation into electric signals under dynamic loads. The effect of the longitudinal stiffness of the sensor is included in the developed sensor model. The problem is then formulated by using Fourier transform and solving the resulting integral equations in terms of the interfacial stress. The accuracy of the developed sensor model is evaluated by comparing with results from the finite element analysis. Numerical simulation is conducted to study the relation between the sensor response and the deformation of the host medium under static and dynamic loads. The results indicate the significant effects of the geometry of the sensor, the material mismatch of the system, and the loading frequency upon the sensor response.