Integrating passive- and active-sensing techniques using an L-shaped sensor array for impact and damage localization

This article presents a technique for detecting structural impact and damage by integrating passive and active-sensing approaches. An L-shaped piezoelectric sensor array was used to detect and localize impacts by measuring the response of structures. It was found that since this method does not require prior knowledge of structures such as the direction-dependent wave velocity profiles, accurate results could be achieved even on anisotropic structures. This sensor array was then extended to include an active-sensing approach, and the same sensor array was used for damage detection by measuring scattering and reflected waves. A series of experiments was carried out to demonstrate the proposed techniques. The superior capability of the proposed techniques was experimentally demonstrated.