CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURE USING PIEZO-CERAMICS SMART MATERIAL

At the time of construction, it is impossible to ensure about uniform quality and strength at every section so, there is variation of strength from various section to section. Structure can be considered as damage free up to certain limit, but if it is beyond limit due to excessive loads which results into damage. Damage is defined as a change to the material and geometric properties of the structural system including changes to the boundary condition and system connectivity, which adversely affect the performance structure as a whole beyond a threshold. The ultimate failure strength of the material, component or system is its maximum load-bearing capacity. When this limit is reached, damage in the materials occurs, and its load-bearing capacity is reduced permanently, significantly and quickly.