Statistical approach to evaluating active reduction of crack propagation in aluminum panels with piezoelectric actuator patches

• Published in: Smart materials and structures Vol. 20; no. 8; pp. 085009 - 1-11
• Main Authors: PLATZ, R, STAPP, C, HANSELKA, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol Institute of Physics 01.08.2011
• Subjects: Aluminum; Crack propagation; Cracks; Exact sciences and technology; Fatigue failure; Fracture mechanics; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); General equipment and techniques; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Panels; Physics; Piezoelectric actuators; Reduction; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Transducers; Uncertainty; Statistical analysis; Piezoelectric sensor; Probabilistic approach; Thin shell; Surface crack; Rupture; Aluminium; Surface transducer; Modeling; Fatigue crack; Crack propagation; Uncertain system; Stress intensity factor; Piezoelectric actuators; Strength; Damaging; Panel surface

Fatigue cracks in light-weight shell or panel structures may lead to major failures when used for sealing or load-carrying purposes. This paper describes investigations into the potential of piezoelectric actuator patches that are applied to the surface of an already cracked thin aluminum panel to a...