Authors: M. J. S. F. Santos, J. B. Santos, A. P. B. M. Amaro

In this work, it is proposed a new approach to analyse multiple impact effects in fibre glass composite plates by means of PZT sensors. Four sets of samples fabricated with different size and stacking sequences were used. Impact tests were carried out using a pressure-assisted drop-weight test machine. The used impact energy levels are proportional to the plate thickness. PZT sensors were bonded to the plates in a pitch-and-catch configuration and the Lamb wave symmetrical mode (S0) signal was selected due to its better propagation properties. The results have showed that the evaluation of the severity of multiple impact defects is possible with the proposed technique.

M. J. S. F. Santos | J. B. Santos | A. P. B. M. Amaro
*Assistant Professor, Dep. Electrical and Computers Eng., University of Coimbra, Portugal
**Associate Professor, Dep. Electrical and Computers Eng., University of Coimbra, Portugal
***Assistant Professor, Dep. Mechanical Eng., University of Coimbra, Portugal