• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.961-980
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• 2014

Based on the general theory of elasticity, the static behavior of 2-2 cement-based piezoelectric curved composites is investigated. The actuator consists of 2 cement layers and 1 piezoelectric layer. Considering the electrode layer between the cement layer and the piezoelectric layer as the elastic layer, the exact solutions of the mechanical and electrical fields of the curved composites are obtained by utilizing the Airy stress function method. Furthermore, the theoretical results are compared with the FEM results and good agreements (with almost no error) are obtained, thus proving the validity of this study. Furthermore, the influence of certain parameters is discussed, which can help to get the desired displacements and stresses. Finally, it is seen that the analytical model established in this paper works well, which could benefit the design of this kind of cement-based smart devices.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.267-284
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• 2014

This paper aims to present the analytical solutions of 2-2 cement based piezoelectric transducers in series electrically based on the theory of piezo-elastic dynamics. The solutions of two different kinds of 2-2 cement based piezoelectric transducers under external harmonic load are obtained by using the displacement method. The effects of electrical connection of piezoelectric layers, loading frequency, thickness and distance of piezoelectric layers on the characteristics of the transducers are discussed. Comparisons with other related experimental investigations are also given, and good agreement is found. The proposed 2-2 cement based piezoelectric transducers have a great potential application in monitoring structural health in civil engineering and capturing mechanical energy or monitoring train-running safety in railway system and traffic safety in road system.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.563-581
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• 2011

The signal-based acoustic emission (AE) characterization of concrete fracture process utilizing home-programmed AE monitoring system was performed for three kinds of static loading tests (Cubic-splitting, Direct-shear and Pull-out). Each test was carried out to induce a distinct fracture mode of concrete. Apart from monitoring and recording the corresponding fracture process of concrete, various methods were utilized to distinguish the characteristics of detected AE waveform to interpret the information of fracture behavior of AE sources (i.e. micro-cracks of concrete). Further, more signal-based characters of AE in different stages were analyzed and compared in this study. This research focused on the relationship between AE signal characteristics and fracture processes of concrete. Thereafter, the mode of concrete fracture could be represented in terms of AE signal characteristics. By using cement-based piezoelectric composite sensors, the AE signals could be detected and collected with better sensitivity and minimized waveform distortion, which made the characterization of AE during concrete fracture process feasible. The continuous wavelet analysis technique was employed to analyze the wave-front of AE and figure out the frequency region of the P-wave & S-wave. Defined RA (rising amplitude), AF (average frequency) and P-wave & S-wave importance index were also introduced to study the characters of AE from concrete fracture. It was found that the characters of AE signals detected during monitoring could be used as an indication of the cracking behavior of concrete.