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Soft Elastomeric Capacitor for Angular Rotation Sensing in Steel Components
Han Liu1, Simon Laflamme1,2, Jian Li3
1Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 13, 2021
Summary
Corrugated soft elastomeric capacitors (cSEC) can now measure angular rotation, extending their use beyond strain gauges. An angular rotation index (ARI) algorithm enables direct, linear mapping of sensor data to rotation angles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Corrugated soft elastomeric capacitors (cSEC) are established as ultra-compliant, scalable strain gauges for in-plane measurements.
- Previous work demonstrated cSEC technology's efficacy in engineering and biomechanical applications.
- This study investigates the extension of cSEC technology for angular rotation sensing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of cSEC sensors in measuring angular rotation when folded at plate junctions.
- To characterize the electromechanical behavior of cSEC sensors for monitoring welded steel connections.
- To develop a method for directly linking cSEC measurements to angular rotation.
Main Methods:
- Derivation and adjustment of an electromechanical model linking cSEC signals to bending strain from angular rotation, validated with finite element analysis.
- Formulation of an angular rotation index (ARI) algorithm to directly correlate sensor measurements with angular rotation.
- Experimental validation using a hollow structural section (HSS) steel specimen subjected to compression to induce angular rotations.
Main Results:
- cSEC sensors demonstrated a linear tracking capability for angular rotation-induced bending strain.
- Accuracy in measuring angular rotation was lower compared to flat configurations.
- The developed ARI algorithm showed a linear correlation with the angle of rotation, achieving an accuracy of 0.416 degrees.
Conclusions:
- cSEC technology is adaptable for angular rotation measurements, albeit with reduced accuracy in folded configurations.
- The ARI algorithm provides a direct and linear method for quantifying angular rotation from cSEC data.
- This advancement opens potential applications in structural health monitoring, particularly for welded connections.
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