Multifunctional sensor network for structural state sensing and structural health monitoring

In order to take full advantages of composites and enable future composite structures to operate at their physical limits rather than limits predetermined from computational design assumptions and safety factors, there is a need to develop an embeddable sensing system to allow a structure to "feel" and "think" its structural state. In this paper, the concept of multi-modal sensing capabilities using a network of multifunctional sensors integrated with a structure has been developed. Utilizing this revolutionary concept, future structures can be designed and manufactured to provide multiple modes of information that when synthesized together can provide capabilities for intelligent sensing, environmental adaptation and multi-functionality. To demonstrate the feasibility of multi-modal sensing capabilities with built-in sensor network, one single type of piezoelectric sensor was selected to perform the measurements of dynamic strain, temperature, damage detection and impact monitoring. The uniqueness of the sensing system includes (1) Flexible, multifunctional sensor networks for integration with any type of composite structural component, (2) Scalable sensor network for monitoring of a large composite structure, (3) Reduced number of connecting wires for sensors, (4) Hybrid diagnostics with multiple sensing capabilities, (5) Sensor network self-diagnostics and self-repair for damaged sensor system.