Time Response of Delaminated Active Sensory Composite Beams Assuming Non-Linear Interfacial Effects

A layerwise laminate FE model capable of predicting the dynamic response of delaminated composite beams with piezoelectric actuators and sensors encompassing local non-linear contact and sliding at the delamination interfaces was formulated. The kinematic assumptions of the layerwise model enabled the representation of opening and sliding of delamination interfaces as generalized strains, thereby allowing the introduction of interfacial contact and sliding effects through constitutive relations at the interface. This realistic FE model, assisted by representative experiments, was used to study the time response of delaminated active sensory composite beams with predefined delamination extents. The time response was measured and simulated for narrowband actuation signals at two distinct frequency levels using a surface-bonded piezoceramic actuator, while signal acquisition was performed with a piezopolymer sensor. Four different composite specimens, each containing a different delamination size, were used for this study. Experimental results were directly compared with model predictions to evaluate the performance of the proposed analytical approach. Damage signatures were identified in both the signal amplitude and the time of flight, and the sensitivity to delamination size was examined. Finally, the distributions of axial and interlaminar stresses at various time snapshots of the transient analysis are presented, along with contour plots across the structure’s thickness, which illustrate the delamination location and wave propagation patterns.