Impedance-based Non-Destructive Evaluation for Additive Manufacturing (INDEAM) is rooted in the field of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). INDEAM generalizes the structure-to-itself comparisons characteristic of the SHM process through introduction of inter-part comparisons: instead of comparing a structure to itself over time, potentially-damaged structures are compared to known-healthy reference structures. The purpose of INDEAM is to provide an alternative to conventional nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for additively manufactured (AM) parts. In essence, the geometrical complexity characteristic of AM processes combined with a phase-change of the feedstock during fabrication complicate the application of conventional NDE techniques by limiting direct access for measurement probes to surfaces and permitting the introduction of internal defects that are not present in the feedstock, respectively. NDE approaches that are capable of surmounting these challenges are typically highly expensive. In the first portion of this work, the procedure for impedance-based NDE is examined in the context of INDEAM. In consideration of the additional variability inherent in inter-part comparisons - as opposed to part-to-itself comparisons - the metrics used to quantify damage or change to a structure are evaluated. Novel methods of assessing damage through impedance-based evaluation are proposed and compared to existing techniques. In the second portion of this work, the INDEAM process is applied to a wide variety of test objects. This portion considers how the sensitivity of the INDEAM process is affected by defect type, defect size, defect location, part material, and excitation frequency. Additionally, a procedure for studying the variance introduced during the process of instrumenting a structure is presented and demonstrated. / Doctor of Philosophy / Impedance-based Non-Destructive Evaluation for Additive Manufacturing (INDEAM) is a quality control approach for detecting defects in structures. As indicated by the name, impedance-based evaluation is discussed in this work in the context of qualifying additively manufactured (3D printed) structures. INDEAM fills a niche in the wider world of nondestructive evaluation techniques by providing a less expensive means to qualify structures with complex geometry. Complex geometry complicates inspection by preventing direct, physical access to all the surfaces of a part. Inspection approaches for parts with complex geometry suffuse a structure with energy and measure how the energy propagates through the structure. A prominent technique in this space is CT scanning, which measures how a structure attentuates x-rays passing through it. INDEAM uses piezoelectric materials to both vibrate a structure and measure its response, not unlike listening for the dull tone of a cracked bell. By applying voltage across a piezoelectric patch glued to a structure, the piezoelectric deforms itself and the bonded structure. By monitoring the electrical current needed to produce that voltage, the ratio of applied voltage to current draw---impedance---can be calculated, which can be thought of as a measure of how a system stores and dissipates energy. When the applied voltage oscillates near a resonant frequency of a structure (the pitch of a rung bell, for example) the structure vibrates much more intensely, and that additional movement dissipates more energy due to viscosity, friction, and transmitting sound into the air. This phenomenon is reflected in the measured impedance, so by calculating the impedance value over a large range of frequencies, it is possible to identify many resonances of the structure. So, the impedance value is tied to the vibrational properties of the structure, and the vibration of the structure is tied to its geometry and material properties. One application of this relationship is called impedance-based structural health monitoring: taking measurements of a structure when it is first built as a reference, then measuring it again later to watch for changes that indicate emerging damage. In this work, the reference measurement is established by measuring a group of control structures that are known to be free of defects. Then, every time a new part is fabricated, its impedance measurements will be compared to the reference. If it matches closely enough, it is assumed good. In both cases, impedance values don't indicate what the change is, just that there was a change. A large portion of this work is devoted to determining the types and sizes of defects that can be reliably detected through INDEAM, what effect the part material plays, and how and where the piezoelectric should be mounted to the part. The remainder of this work discusses new methods for conducting impedance-based evaluation. In particular, overcoming the extra uncertainty introduced by moving from part-to-itself structural health monitoring comparisons to the part-to-part quality control comparisons discussed in this work. A new method for mathematically comparing impedance values is introduced which involves extracting the resonant properties of the structure rather than using statistical tools on the raw impedance values. Additionally, a new method for assessing the influence of piezoelectric mounting conditions on the measured impedance values is demonstrated.

High-temperature piezoelectric wafer active sensors (HT-PWAS) have been developed for structure health monitoring at hazard environments for decades. Different candidates have previously been tested under 270 °C and a new piezoelectric material langasite (LGS) was chosen here for a pilot study up to 700 °C. A preliminary study was performed to develop a high temperature sensor that utilizes langasite material. The Electromechanical impedance (E/M) method was chosen to detect the piezoelectric property. Experiments that verify the basic piezoelectric property of LGS at high temperature environments were carried out. Further validations were conducted by testing structures with attached LGS sensors at elevated temperature. Additionally, a detection system simulating the working process of LGS monitoring system was developed with PZT material at room temperature. This thesis, for the first time, (to the best of author’s knowledge) presents that langasite is ideal for making piezoelectric wafer active sensors for high temperature structure health monitoring applications.

Orientador: Vicente Lopes Junior / Banca: Samuel Silva / Banca: Michael John Brennan / Banca: Carlos Alberto Cimini Junior / Resumo: Pesquisadores de diversas partes do mundo se empenham em desenvolver técnicas capazes de monitorar a integridade de máquinas, veículos e estruturas, principalmente as que a ruptura ou destruição possa provocar acidentes e catástrofes. Neste contexto, várias técnicas não destrutivas podem ser utilizadas para monitorar estes sistemas permitindo a realização de reparos e, evitando maiores prejuízos econômicos e danos sociais. A técnica da Impedância Eletromecânica está entre as técnicas baseadas na utilização de materiais piezelétricos e, particularmente, utiliza-se de uma curva sensível a pequenas variações na estrutura, característica que faz a técnica ser eficiente na detecção de danos incipientes. No entanto, sob variações das condições ambiente e de teste, a sensibilidade da técnica pode produzir falsos diagnósticos. Desta forma, o desafio atual é aplicar a técnica da Impedância Eletromecânica em sistemas de monitoramento considerando condições mais próximas às condições de operação reais dos sistemas a serem monitorados. Este trabalho apresenta duas metodologias para sistemas SHM, a primeira consiste em utilizar a técnica de agrupamento Fuzzy c-means para entender e considerar o efeito da temperatura nos sinais da Impedância Eletromecânica. A segunda metodologia utiliza análise de variância (ANOVA) para propor uma metodologia de detecção mais robusta, e assim, incorporar variações aleatórias nos sistemas de medição e aquisição sem comprometer o diagnóstico SHM / Abstract: Researchers around the world are engaged to develop techniques for structural health monitoring of machinery, vehicles and structures, especially systems where damage or destruction could induce accidents and disasters. In this context, several non-destructive techniques can be used to monitor these systems allowing repairs and avoiding major economic losses or social losses. The electromechanical impedance technique is among the techniques based on piezoelectric materials use and it is sensible to small variations in the structure which makes it efficient in detecting incipient damages. However, variations in the ambient or test conditions can cause false diagnoses. Therefore, the current challenge is to apply the electromechanical impedance technique considering monitoring conditions closer to real operating conditions of the systems to be monitored. This work presents two methodologies for SHM systems. The first one uses Fuzzy c-means clustering to distinguish the temperature effect on impedance signal. The second method uses analysis of variance (ANOVA) to propose a more robust detection methodology and thus incorporate random variations in measurement systems and acquisition without loss of SHM diagnostic / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-02-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:14:27Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gonsalez_cg_me_ilha.pdf: 4679748 bytes, checksum: 5f6a627734b2110f92059053c2470814 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Pesquisadores de diversas partes do mundo se empenham em desenvolver técnicas capazes de monitorar a integridade de máquinas, veículos e estruturas, principalmente as que a ruptura ou destruição possa provocar acidentes e catástrofes. Neste contexto, várias técnicas não destrutivas podem ser utilizadas para monitorar estes sistemas permitindo a realização de reparos e, evitando maiores prejuízos econômicos e danos sociais. A técnica da Impedância Eletromecânica está entre as técnicas baseadas na utilização de materiais piezelétricos e, particularmente, utiliza-se de uma curva sensível a pequenas variações na estrutura, característica que faz a técnica ser eficiente na detecção de danos incipientes. No entanto, sob variações das condições ambiente e de teste, a sensibilidade da técnica pode produzir falsos diagnósticos. Desta forma, o desafio atual é aplicar a técnica da Impedância Eletromecânica em sistemas de monitoramento considerando condições mais próximas às condições de operação reais dos sistemas a serem monitorados. Este trabalho apresenta duas metodologias para sistemas SHM, a primeira consiste em utilizar a técnica de agrupamento Fuzzy c-means para entender e considerar o efeito da temperatura nos sinais da Impedância Eletromecânica. A segunda metodologia utiliza análise de variância (ANOVA) para propor uma metodologia de detecção mais robusta, e assim, incorporar variações aleatórias nos sistemas de medição e aquisição sem comprometer o diagnóstico SHM / Researchers around the world are engaged to develop techniques for structural health monitoring of machinery, vehicles and structures, especially systems where damage or destruction could induce accidents and disasters. In this context, several non-destructive techniques can be used to monitor these systems allowing repairs and avoiding major economic losses or social losses. The electromechanical impedance technique is among the techniques based on piezoelectric materials use and it is sensible to small variations in the structure which makes it efficient in detecting incipient damages. However, variations in the ambient or test conditions can cause false diagnoses. Therefore, the current challenge is to apply the electromechanical impedance technique considering monitoring conditions closer to real operating conditions of the systems to be monitored. This work presents two methodologies for SHM systems. The first one uses Fuzzy c-means clustering to distinguish the temperature effect on impedance signal. The second method uses analysis of variance (ANOVA) to propose a more robust detection methodology and thus incorporate random variations in measurement systems and acquisition without loss of SHM diagnostic

Submitted by Marcelo Marchi (marcelo.marchi@outlook.com) on 2016-02-01T14:54:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MARCHI_M.pdf: 2521553 bytes, checksum: bbdd16180ad3fd8085e045a41549b236 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-02-02T13:31:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 marchi_m_dr_bauru_pdf.pdf: 2521553 bytes, checksum: bbdd16180ad3fd8085e045a41549b236 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-02T13:31:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 marchi_m_dr_bauru_pdf.pdf: 2521553 bytes, checksum: bbdd16180ad3fd8085e045a41549b236 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O processo de retificação é considerado um dos últimos na cadeia de produção de peças de precisão, sendo, portanto, essencial ter um sistema de monitoramento confiável para avaliar a condição da superfície da peça. Neste trabalho é proposto o uso do método da impedância eletromecânica (EMI) para monitorar, em tempo real, o processo de retificação plana, especialmente no que diz respeito à condição da peça retificada. O método EMI se destaca por sua simplicidade e por utilizar componentes de baixo custo, tais como os transdutores piezelétricos de PZT (Pb-Lead Zirconate Titanate). A fim de avaliar a viabilidade do método EMI no processo de retificação, ensaios experimentais foram realizados numa máquina retificadora plana empregando-se rebolo CBN e peça de aço SAE 1020, com transdutores de PZT instalados na peça e no seu suporte. Durante o processo de retificação, a impedância elétrica do transdutor foi medida e índices de dano foram calculados e comparados com o desgaste da peça. Os resultados experimentais indicam que o método EMI pode ser uma alternativa eficiente e de baixo custo para o monitoramento de peças de precisão no processo de retificação plana. / Grinding is considered one of the last processes in precision parts manufacturing, which makes it indispensable to have a reliable monitoring system to evaluate workpiece surface integrity. This paper proposes the use of the electromechanical impedance (EMI) method to monitor the surface grinding operation in real time, particularly the surface integrity of the ground workpiece. The EMI method stands out for its simplicity and for using low-cost components such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate) piezoelectric transducers. In order to assess the feasibility of applying the EMI method to the grinding process, experimental tests were performed on a surface grinder using a CBN grinding wheel and a SAE 1020 steel workpiece, with PZT transducers mounted on the workpiece and its holder. During the grinding process, the electrical impedance of the transducers was measured and damage indices were calculated and compared with workpiece wear. The experimental results indicate that the EMI method can be an efficient and cost effective alternative for monitoring precision workpieces during the surface grinding process. / CAPES: 118227-2

Orientador: Jozue Vieira Filho / Resumo: Neste trabalho aplica-se a Transformada Wavelet Packet para a identificação de faixas de frequência para detecção de danos em sistemas de monitoramento de integridade estrutural baseados no princípio da impedância eletromecânica no domínio do tempo. Assim, foram verificadas e determinadas as faixas de frequências que melhor representam as variações no conjunto PZT/estrutura por meio de informações obtidas da Transformada Wavelet Packet aplicada no sinal de resposta do conjunto PZT/estrutura, obtendo uma metodologia viável, fácil e simples para escolher a faixa mais sensível para a detecção de danos. Os resultados indicam que a entropia dos coeficientes wavelet é uma importante referência na seleção da banda mais apropriada para a detecção de danos. / Abstract: This work applies the Wavelet Packet Transform in the identification of frequency bands for damage detection in structural health monitoring systems based on the principle of electromechanical impedance in the time domain. Thus, the frequency bands that best represent the variations in the set PZT/structure were obtained and determined by means of the information obtained from the Wavelet Packet Transform applied to response signal obtained from PZT/structure, which is an easy, simple and viable methodology for choosing the more sensitive frequency bands for damage detection. Results indicate that the entropy of wavelet coefficients is an important reference in selecting the most appropriate band for damage detection. / Mestre

Submitted by EVERALDO SILVA DE FREITAS null (everaldo.freitas@gmail.com) on 2016-07-03T18:42:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Mestrado_Everaldo_Freitas_2016_final.pdf: 3897384 bytes, checksum: 5c9536e39331c3a9d0ddfa1752cc723a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-07-07T16:33:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 freitas_es_me_bauru.pdf: 3897384 bytes, checksum: 5c9536e39331c3a9d0ddfa1752cc723a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-07T16:33:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 freitas_es_me_bauru.pdf: 3897384 bytes, checksum: 5c9536e39331c3a9d0ddfa1752cc723a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-30 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta uma análise experimental da viabilidade do uso dos diafragmas piezelétricos comerciais de baixo custo (comumente conhecidos como buzzers) em sistemas de monitoramento de integridade estrutural (SHM – Structural Health Monitoring) baseados na técnica da impedância eletromecânica (E/M). Esse tipo de aplicação tem recebido uma atenção especial nas últimas décadas por se basear no uso de transdutores piezelétricos pequenos e leves que operam simultaneamente como sensores e atuadores. Foram realizados vários testes em barras de alumínio utilizando diafragmas de diversos tamanhos; as assinaturas de impedância elétrica e os índices de dano foram comparados com os obtidos usando uma cerâmica convencional de PZT (Pb-lead Zirconate Titanate – titanato zirconato de chumbo), que é o transdutor mais comumente utilizado nessa aplicação. Os danos estruturais foram simulados utilizando-se massas metálicas (porcas de parafuso), as quais foram fixadas nas barras com cola a base de cianoacrilato. Quatro tipos de experimentos foram realizados para fins de comparação: estimação da sensibilidade dos transdutores utilizando método da quebra do grafite (PLB – Pencil Lead Break – quebra do grafite); comparação dos índices de dano RMSD (root mean square deviation – desvio da raiz média quadrática) e CCDM (correlation coefficient deviation metric – métrica do desvio do coeficiente de correlação), calculados a partir das assinaturas de impedância; avaliação dos efeitos da temperatura; e a avaliação da reprodutibilidade dos resultados a longo prazo. Os resultados indicaram que a cerâmica convencional de PZT e um diafragma de tamanho semelhante apresentam características bem próximas em relação à reprodutibilidade dos resultados, sensibilidade ao dano e aos efeitos de temperatura, o que leva a conclusão de que os diafragmas são viáveis para sistemas de SHM baseados na impedância E/M. / This dissertation presents an experimental analysis of the viability of low-cost commercial piezoelectric diaphragms (commonly known as buzzers) in structural health monitoring (SHM) systems based on the electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique. This application has received special attention in recent decades because it is based on the use of small, lightweight piezoelectric transducers operating as both sensors and actuators. Several tests were carried out on aluminum bars using diaphragms of different sizes; the electrical impedance signatures and damage indices were compared with those obtained using a conventional PZT (Pb-Lead Zirconate Titanate) ceramic, which is the most commonly employed transducer in this application. Structural damage was simulated using metallic bolts (steel nut), which were fixed in the bars using cyanoacrylate glue. Four types of experiments were carried out for comparison between the two transducers: sensitivity estimation using the pencil lead break (PLB) method, analysis of the feasibility to detect structural damage using conventional impedance signatures and damage indices, analysis of temperature effects, and determination of the long-term reproducibility of the results. The results indicated that conventional PZT ceramics and diaphragms with similar size exhibit very close characteristics in relation to reproducibility, sensitivity to damage and temperature effects, which leads to the conclusion that the piezoelectric diaphragms are feasible in SHM systems based on the EMI method. / FAPESP: 2015/02500-6

Submitted by PATRÍCIA GABRIEL VIEIRA null (vieiragpatricia@gmail.com) on 2017-01-23T20:36:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Patricia_G_Vieira_Dissertação_Final_2016.pdf: 1483125 bytes, checksum: 78eb2fa98b77bc55ffb7c6344532d7a9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-01-26T13:40:48Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 vieira_pg_me_ilha.pdf: 1483125 bytes, checksum: 78eb2fa98b77bc55ffb7c6344532d7a9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-26T13:40:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 vieira_pg_me_ilha.pdf: 1483125 bytes, checksum: 78eb2fa98b77bc55ffb7c6344532d7a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Neste trabalho aplica-se a Transformada Wavelet Packet para a identificação de faixas de frequência para detecção de danos em sistemas de monitoramento de integridade estrutural baseados no princípio da impedância eletromecânica no domínio do tempo. Assim, foram verificadas e determinadas as faixas de frequências que melhor representam as variações no conjunto PZT/estrutura por meio de informações obtidas da Transformada Wavelet Packet aplicada no sinal de resposta do conjunto PZT/estrutura, obtendo uma metodologia viável, fácil e simples para escolher a faixa mais sensível para a detecção de danos. Os resultados indicam que a entropia dos coeficientes wavelet é uma importante referência na seleção da banda mais apropriada para a detecção de danos. / This work applies the Wavelet Packet Transform in the identification of frequency bands for damage detection in structural health monitoring systems based on the principle of electromechanical impedance in the time domain. Thus, the frequency bands that best represent the variations in the set PZT/structure were obtained and determined by means of the information obtained from the Wavelet Packet Transform applied to response signal obtained from PZT/structure, which is an easy, simple and viable methodology for choosing the more sensitive frequency bands for damage detection. Results indicate that the entropy of wavelet coefficients is an important reference in selecting the most appropriate band for damage detection.

Submitted by RICARDO ZANNI MENDES DA SILVEIRA null (ricazanni@gmail.com) on 2017-06-07T16:11:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Mestrado_Eng_Eletrica_Ricardo_Zanni_2017.pdf: 2344048 bytes, checksum: b519ada02ffab82aa4fa7f014877a9a4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-06-07T16:26:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 silveira_rzm_me_bauru.pdf: 2344048 bytes, checksum: b519ada02ffab82aa4fa7f014877a9a4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-07T16:26:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silveira_rzm_me_bauru.pdf: 2344048 bytes, checksum: b519ada02ffab82aa4fa7f014877a9a4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-26 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Transdutores piezelétricos são amplamente utilizados em muitos métodos não destrutivos para a detecção de danos estruturais em aplicações de monitoramento de integridade estrutural ou SHM (Structural Health Monitoring). Dentre os vários métodos não destrutivos, a técnica da impedância eletromecânica (E/M) é conhecida por utilizar cerâmicas piezelétricas pequenas e finas que desempenham simultaneamente as funções de atuador e sensor. O método convencional de instalação dessas cerâmicas piezelétricas na estrutura é utilizando um adesivo de alta rigidez como cola a base de epóxi ou cianoacrilato. No entanto, alguns estudos propõem métodos alternativos de instalação do transdutor, visando a sua reutilização ou que permitam o monitoramento em condições adversas sob as quais a instalação direta do sensor não seria possível. Assim, esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta uma análise experimental comparativa entre os principais métodos de acoplamento entre o transdutor piezelétrico e a estrutura monitorada em sistemas de SHM baseados na técnica da impedância eletromecânica (E/M). Os acoplamentos dos transdutores piezelétricos foram realizados pelos métodos da instalação direta, também conhecida como instalação convencional, por acoplamento magnético e lâminas de alumínio. O transdutor utilizado para os métodos de acoplamento foi o diafragma piezelétrico, comumente conhecido como buzzer. Testes com os três métodos de instalação foram realizados em estruturas de alumínio e o dano estrutural foi induzido por meio de adição de massa metálica (porca de aço), fixada diretamente na estrutura com cola a base de cianoacrilato. A análise comparativa entre os métodos de instalação foi realizada utilizando índices de danos obtidos das assinaturas de impedância elétrica dos diafragmas piezelétricos, além da função de resposta em frequência (FRF) e da densidade espectral de potência obtida pelo método da quebra do grafite. Os resultados experimentais apontam características importantes para os métodos de instalação, os quais têm influência significativa sobre a resposta em frequência e sensibilidade para a detecção de danos estruturais. / Piezoelectric transducers are widely used in many non-destructive methods for detecting structural damage in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications. Among the various techniques for detecting structural damage, the electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique is known to use fine and small piezoelectric ceramics that simultaneously perform the actuator and sensor functions. The conventional method of installing these piezoelectric ceramics in the structure is by using a high stiffness adhesive such as epoxy or cyanoacrylate based glue. However, some studies propose alternative methods of installing the transducer for reuse or to allow monitoring under adverse conditions under which direct sensor installation would not be possible. Thus, this master's thesis presents a comparative experimental analysis between the main coupling methods between the piezoelectric transducer and the monitored structure in SHM systems based on the electromechanical impedance technique. The piezoelectric transducer couplings were made by direct installation methods, also known as conventional installation, by magnetic coupling and aluminum foils. The transducer used for the coupling methods was the piezoelectric diaphragm, commonly known as buzzer. Tests with these methods were carried out on aluminum structures and the structural damage was induced using metallic masses (steel nuts), fixed directly to the structure with cyanoacrylate-based glue. The comparison of the results analysis between the coupling methods was performed using the indices of damages obtained from electrical impedance signatures of the piezoelectric diaphragm, the frequency response function (FRF) and the power spectral density (PSD) obtained by pencil lead break (PLB) test. The experimental results indicate important characteristics for each installation method and that the mounting method has a significant influence on the frequency response and sensitivity for the detection of structural damage. / FAPESP: 2015/02500-6

Detection, characterization and prognosis of damage in civil, aerospace and mechanical structures, known as structural health monitoring (SHM), have been a growing area of research over the last few decades. As several in-service civil, mechanical and aerospace structures are approaching or even exceeding their design life, the implementation of SHM systems is becoming a necessity. SHM is the key for transforming schedule-driven inspection and maintenance into condition-based maintenance, which promises enhanced safety and overall life-cycle cost reduction. While damage detection and characterization can be achieved, among other techniques, by analyzing the dynamic response of the structure under test, damage prognosis requires the additional knowledge of loading patterns acting on the structure. Accurate, nondestructive, and reference-free measurement of the state-of-stress in structural components has been a long standing challenge without a fully-satisfactory outcome. In light of this, the main goal of this research effort is to advance the current state of the art of structural health and loading monitoring, with focus being cast on impedance-based SHM and acoustoelastic-based stress measurement techniques. While impedance-based SHM has been successfully implemented as a damage detection technique, the utilization of electromechanical impedance measurements for damage characterization imposes several challenges. These challenges are mainly stemming from the high-frequency nature of impedance measurements. Current acoustoelastic-based practices, on the other hand, are hindered by their poor sensitivity and the need for calibration at a known state of stress. Addressing these challenges by developing and integrating theoretical models, numerical algorithms and experimental techniques defines the main objectives of this work. A key enabler for both health and loading monitoring techniques is the utilization of piezoelectric transducers to excite the structure and measure its response. For this purpose, a new three-layer spectral element for piezoelectric-structure interaction has been developed in this work, where the adhesive bonding layer has been explicitly modeled. Using this model, the dynamic response of piezoelectric-augmented structures has been investigated. A thorough parametric study has been conducted to provide a better understanding of bonding layer impact on the response of the coupled structure. A procedure for piezoelectric material characterization utilizing its free electromechanical impedance signature has been also developed. Furthermore, impedance-based damage characterization has been investigated, where a novel optimization-based damage identification approach has been developed. This approach exploits the capabilities of spectral element method, along with the periodic nature of impedance peaks shifts with respect to damage location, to solve the ill-posed damage identification problem in a computationally efficient manner. The second part of this work investigates acoustoelastic-based stress measurements, where model-based technique that is capable of analyzing dispersive waves to calculate the state of stress has been developed. A criterion for optimal selection of excitation waveforms has been proposed in this work, taking into consideration the sensitivity to the state of stress, the robustness against material and geometric uncertainties, and the ability to obtain a reflections-free response at desired measurement locations. The impact of material- and geometry-related uncertainties on the performance of the stress measurement algorithm has also been investigated through a comprehensive sensitivity analysis. The developed technique has been experimentally validated, where true reference-free, uncalibrated, acoustoelastic-based stress measurements have been successfully conducted. Finally, the applicability of the aforementioned health and loading monitoring techniques to railroad track components has been investigated. Extensive in-lab experiments have been carried out to evaluate the performance of these techniques on lab-scale and full-scale rail joints. Furthermore, in-field experiments have been conducted, in collaboration with Norfolk Southern and the Transportation Technology Center Inc., to further investigate the performance of these techniques under real life operating and environmental conditions. / Ph. D.