Effective models of PZT actuators for numerical simulation of elastic wave propagation

In this study, to accurately identify the functions of piezoelectric actuators and sensors for the generation and collection of elastic waves in typical engineering structures, several effective models of surface-bounded flat PZT disks are further developed and validated for numerical modelling of elastic wave propagations. Based on these models, a series of finite element models of elastic waves in plates are devised using both implicit and explicit dynamics analysis techniques and those numerical simulations are conducted and verified one another. The results flowed from the present research is being used to study the elastic wave propagation in pipes and develop an online structural health monitoring (SHM) system with an integrated piezoelectric actuator-sensor network.