Piezoceramic-based smart aggregate for unified performance monitoring of concrete structures

• US 20080034884A1
• Filed: 07/06/2007
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Houston System
• Original Assignee: University of Houston System
• Inventors: Song, Gangbing, Gu, Haichang, Mo, Yi-Lung
• Granted Patent: US 7,987,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/786
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0033 by determining damage, crack or wear
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0066 by exciting or detecting vibration or acceleration vibration testing of structures G01M7/00

Abstract

A system for monitoring the health of a structure, e.g., a concrete wall, bridge, pillars, using a smart aggregate is disclosed. The smart aggregate includes a piezoceramic transducer(s) and associated communication links. The transducer is embedded into the structure prior to the manufacture of the structure. The disclosed system can monitor internal stresses, cracks and other physical forces in the structures during the structures'"'"' life. The system is capable of providing an early indication of the health of the structure before a failure of the structure can occur.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the health of a structure, comprising:

a plurality of piezoceramic transducers coated with an insulating material whereby the piezoceramic transducers are embedded in the structure;

a generator coupled to a first piezoceramic transducer; and

a monitor coupled to a second piezoceramic transducer whereby the monitor displays a waveform received by the second piezoceramic transducer that was generated by the first piezoceramic transducer.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the piezoceramic transducers are lead zirconate titanate transducers.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the structure is composed of concrete.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the structure is a bridge.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the structure is a building.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the structure is a pillar.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the insulating material is composed of water-proof insulating layers.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein the piezoceramic transducers include a piezoceramic material with a volume no greater than 8 mm×

8 mm×

0.267 mm.

9. The system of claim 3 wherein the piezoceramic transducers are embedded in a concrete block whereby the concrete block is embedded in the structure.

10. A method for monitoring the health of a structure, comprising the steps of:

coating piezoceramic transducers with an insulating material;

embedding the piezoceramic transducers into a housing;

embedding the housing into the structure;

inducing a first waveform from a first piezoceramic transducer; and

displaying a second waveform received by a second piezoceramic transducer.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the structure is composed of concrete.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of embedding the housing occurs prior to the curing of the concrete.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the piezoceramic transducers are composed of lead zirconate titanate.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the housing is a cubic concrete block.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the insulating material is composed of water-proof insulating layers.