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Support Stiffness Monitoring of Cylindrical Structures Using Magnetostrictive Transducers and the Torsional Mode
Jabid Quiroga Mendez1, Luis Mujica2, Rodolfo Villamizar3
1Schools of Mechanical and Electric, Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering, Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), Cra 27 Calle 9, Bucaramanga, Colombia. jabib@uis.edu.co.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 20, 2018
Summary
This study introduces a method using torsional guided waves to monitor support stiffness in cylindrical structures. Detecting loss of rigidity in supports enhances operational safety and prevents potential failures.
Area of Science:
- Structural Health Monitoring
- Ultrasonic Testing
- Non-Destructive Evaluation
Background:
- Degradation of support stiffness in cylindrical structures like pipelines can lead to critical operational risks and safety hazards.
- Monitoring support integrity is crucial for maintaining the structural health and operational safety of pipelines, especially in challenging terrains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel support stiffness monitoring scheme utilizing torsional guided waves.
- To investigate the relationship between support rigidity, contact forces, and wave propagation characteristics.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of detecting loss of support rigidity in cylindrical structures.
Main Methods:
- Generation and analysis of the fundamental torsional T(0,1) mode using a magnetostrictive collar in a pitch-catch setup.
- Emulation of abnormal support conditions on a dedicated test bench with varying load conditions.
- Numerical and experimental investigation of ultrasonic energy leakage and wave attenuation.
Main Results:
- Numerical simulations showed energy leakage from T(0,1) mode to SH0 bulk waves due to compromised mechanical coupling.
- Experimental results confirmed that ultrasonic energy leakage rate is directly dependent on the magnitude of reaction forces at the support.
- Different mechanical contact conditions resulted in varying levels of T(0,1) mode attenuation.
Conclusions:
- The amplitude of the T(0,1) mode can serve as a reliable indicator of abnormal conditions in simple supports.
- The proposed torsional guided wave-based method is feasible for tracking variations in support conditions.
- This technique offers potential for enhanced structural integrity monitoring of cylindrical systems.
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