Embedded non-destructive evaluation for structural health monitoring, damage detection, and failure prevention

In this paper we review the state of the art in an emerging new technology: embedded ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE). Embedded ultrasonic NDE permits active structural health monitoring, i.e. the on-demand interrogation of the structure to determine its current state of structural health. The enabling element of embedded ultrasonic NDE is the piezoelectric wafer active sensor (PWAS). We begin by reviewing the guided wave theory in plate, tube, and shell structures, with special attention to Lamb waves. The mechanisms of Lamb wave excitation and detection with embeddable PWAS transducers is presented. It is shown analytically and verified experimentally that Lamb wave mode tuning can be achieved by the judicious combination of PWAS dimensions, frequency value, and Lamb mode characteristics. Subsequently, we address in turn the use of pitch-catch, pulse-echo, and phased array ultrasonic methods for Lambwave damage detection. In each case, the conventional ultrasonic NDE results are contrasted with embedded NDE results. Detection of cracks, disbonds, delaminations, and diffuse damage in metallic and composite structures are exemplified. Other techniques, such as the time reversal method and the migration technique, are also presented. The paper ends with conclusions and suggestions for further work.