Piezo Sensors as Integral Components of Structures

Piezo sensors enable an implementation of smart structure concepts in two ways the so-called adaptive and the sensory structures [106]. 

The idea behind the adaptive structures is to implement structural properties (e. g. stiffness, strength) that can be adapted to external influences by means of appropriately integrated sensors and actuators. In principle, a functionally well adapted passive structure is extended by active components (sensors, actuators, microprocessor based controller and computational capabilities). 

Sensory structures however, are able to detect and monitor deformations, deflections or even structural conditions and properties (e. g. the growth of damages) via integrated sensors. In the case of a critical condition or property an output of information about the actual condition or just a warning will be generated. This kind of condition monitoring (CM) is also called structural health monitoring (SHM). 

The following fundamental technology developments have formed the base 

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