On the Evaluation of Low-Cost Piezoelectric Sensors in Modal Testing: A Case Study

This work addresses the evaluation of the performance of low-cost piezoelectric sensors in a modal analysis test. A case study is presented where a set of frequency response functions were obtained using low-cost sensors and then those experimental curves were compared with an independent set of frequency response functions obtained using acceleration sensors with integrated electronics. The performance analysis is based on the validation of the natural frequencies obtained using a finite element model of the structure proposed as a specimen under test. Three different materials were used in the finite element models of the specimen to determine the best theoretical parameter.