Application Cases

Experiment Name: Piezoelectric Functional Elements and Test Monitoring System

Experiment Purpose: This chapter conducts further research on the material selection, fabrication methods, and integration methods with the monitored structure for the piezoelectric functional elements required for the experiment. Simultaneously, the components of the experimental monitoring system are described. By designing a performance test plan for the experimental monitoring system, its linearity, sensitivity, stability, and dynamic frequency response performance were tested. A digital filter was designed for signal filtering.

Test Equipment: ATA-2041 High-Voltage Amplifier, Signal Generator, Signal Amplifier, Data Acquisition Instrument, Piezoelectric Sensors, etc.

Experimental Process:

Figure 1: Physical diagram of the test monitoring system composition

As shown in Figure 1, the monitoring system composition, in addition to the PZT functional elements for exciting and receiving stress waves and the monitored concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) component, also includes instruments and equipment such as a signal generator, pre-amplifier, data acquisition instrument, and post-signal amplifier, along with their correct connections.

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the specimen setup for the performance test of the experimental monitoring system (Unit: cm)

The experimental monitoring system needs to measure and control relevant parameters, requiring the system to stably and accurately respond to and perceive these parameters at both the excitation and output ends, completing the complete and real-time transmission and recording of signals. Therefore, performance testing of the designed experimental monitoring system is necessary to ensure the correct connection and stable operation of the instruments and equipment. Based on this, the most important task is to test the basic characteristics of the PZT actuators and sensors forming each monitoring group. To complete the performance testing of the experimental monitoring system, this section designed a CFST specimen in a defect-free state for the performance test. Corresponding PZT actuators and sensors were arranged in the specimen; the specific layout schematic is shown in Figure 2.

The performance testing of the experimental monitoring system was divided into static characteristic tests and dynamic characteristic tests. Static performance tests included linearity test, sensitivity test, and stability test. The dynamic characteristic test mainly referred to the system dynamic frequency response test.

Test Results:

The fabricated PZT actuators and sensors, after being integrated with the monitored structure, were connected with other instruments and equipment to jointly form the experimental monitoring system. Performance tests conducted on this system showed that there is a clear linear relationship between the input and output signal amplitudes of the monitoring system at different frequencies. From a frequency perspective, with a constant input voltage amplitude, the output voltage changes significantly with variations in frequency. Changes in frequency greatly affect the sensitivity of the system's signal amplitude, indicating that the monitoring system needs to operate within a suitable frequency range. Furthermore, tests confirmed that the monitoring system possesses good stability and dynamic frequency response performance, meeting the performance requirements of the experiment for the monitoring system.

Power Amplifier Recommendation: ATA-2041

Figure: ATA-2041 High-Voltage Amplifier Specifications

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