Elastic Wave Structure Evaluation with Sensor Placement Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accuracy of detecting and evaluating structural damage using elastic waves is compromised by the installation position of sensors, leading to erroneous evaluations of the deterioration state of structures.
Innovation Solution
A structure evaluation system that includes sensors, a position locator, and an evaluator to determine the deterioration state by analyzing elastic wave sources and sensor installation positions, using multiple thresholds and corrections to improve evaluation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are installed on the surface of the structure to detect elastic waves, then the ability to detect damage is improved, but the accuracy of damage evaluation decreases when sensors are positioned near damage areas due to hindered wave transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The structure surface is divided into multiple evaluation areas, and sensors are strategically positioned to ensure comprehensive coverage. By segmenting the monitoring zones and assigning specific sensors to specific areas, the system avoids the problem of single sensor placement near damage causing overall evaluation failure. Each evaluation area is assessed independently based on its own sensor data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an evaluation unit that acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the final damage assessment. This evaluation unit processes sensor data by comparing elastic wave characteristics against reference data, and can identify when sensor placement near damage affects measurement accuracy. It then adjusts or excludes affected data points to maintain overall evaluation precision.
2Measurement precision
If elastic waves are used to locate damage sources, then the ability to identify damage position is improved, but the locating accuracy decreases when damage exists in the wave propagation path
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the evaluation unit continuously monitors the quality and reliability of elastic wave data from each sensor. When damage in the propagation path degrades signal quality, the feedback system identifies this degradation and adjusts the evaluation process accordingly, such as by excluding compromised data or weighting it less in the final assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of sensor data quality before final damage localization. By pre-identifying sensors whose signals are degraded by nearby damage, the system can take preliminary corrective actions such as adjusting sensor weights, selecting alternative sensors, or modifying the evaluation algorithm to compensate for the degraded signals before performing the actual damage localization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the accuracy of structural deterioration assessments by accounting for sensor placement and wave propagation characteristics, reducing erroneous evaluations.
Implementation Method 1
detect elastic waves generated from a damaged portion inside a structure by installing a sensor (for example, an acoustic emission (AE) sensor) on a surface of the structure
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a structure evaluation system of the embodiments includes a plurality of sensors, a position locator, and an evaluator. The plurality of sensors detect elastic waves. The position locator locates elastic wave sources on the basis of a plurality of elastic waves detected by each of the plurality of sensors. The evaluator evaluates a deterioration state of a structure in accordance with a presence or absence of a sensor and an elastic wave source distribution which shows a position of the elastic wave sources obtained on the basis of a result of locating of the elastic wave sources.