The work encompasses a study of interaction between
embedded PZT transducers and composite structures as
well as technique improvement to simplify Lamb waves
analysis. The design of embedded PZT transducers was
improved by reducing the stress concentrations in
composites. The experiments, performed in static
loading, indicated that the embedded PZT transducer
did not significantly reduce the strength of the
composite. Further investigations were conducted to
evaluate the performance of the improved PZT
transducer used as a Lamb wave generator embedded in
composites subjected to mechanical loading. The
tests were performed in static and fatigue loading.
The study showed a large working range of the
embedded PZT transducers. A post processing
technique based on wavelets was developed for damage
assessment. This method focused on the wavelet
coefficients from the Lamb wave response
decomposition, improving the damage detection
capabilities. The other technique was devoted to
filtering the Lamb waves by the use of multi-element
transducers. This technique allowed the reduction of
the effect of a Lamb wave mode towards another
embedded PZT transducers and composite structures as
well as technique improvement to simplify Lamb waves
analysis. The design of embedded PZT transducers was
improved by reducing the stress concentrations in
composites. The experiments, performed in static
loading, indicated that the embedded PZT transducer
did not significantly reduce the strength of the
composite. Further investigations were conducted to
evaluate the performance of the improved PZT
transducer used as a Lamb wave generator embedded in
composites subjected to mechanical loading. The
tests were performed in static and fatigue loading.
The study showed a large working range of the
embedded PZT transducers. A post processing
technique based on wavelets was developed for damage
assessment. This method focused on the wavelet
coefficients from the Lamb wave response
decomposition, improving the damage detection
capabilities. The other technique was devoted to
filtering the Lamb waves by the use of multi-element
transducers. This technique allowed the reduction of
the effect of a Lamb wave mode towards another