Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-139).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1996. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [143]-147).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 325-341). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-69). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-189). Also available in electronic version.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, December 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-148).

Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 29, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Fabricio Guimarães Baptista / Banca: Anna Diva Plasencia Lotufo / Banca: Marcelo Nicoletti Franchin / Resumo: 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 estrut... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: 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 betwe... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre