Research Article Open Access

Application of Smart Materials in Smart Structures

Abstract

Smart materials are expected to be an important ingredient of third-generation structures. Candidate smart materials for structural applications include optical fiber-based sensors, Ferro-magnetic sensors, shape memory alloys and piezoelectric sensors. As sensor technologies advance, periodical evaluations of their performance should be conducted to identify the best-performing sensors available for the measurement of structural responses (e.g. displacement, velocity, acceleration, strain, and stress) and detecting structural damage (e.g. cracking, fatigue and corrosion). Such evaluations should consider their performance (e.g. reliability, sensitivity, integrity, and robustness) not only as stand-alone sensors but more importantly when externally attached to structural members as well as internally embedded in concrete and FRP materials. In construction, smart materials and systems could be used in „smart‟ buildings, for environmental control, security and structural health monitoring e.g. strain measurement in bridges using embedded fiber optic sensors. Magnetorheological fluids have been used to damp cable-stayed bridges and reduce the effects of earthquakes. In marine and rail transport, possibilities include strain monitoring using embedded fiber optic sensors. The paper discuss about types of smart materials, smart sensing Technology, components of smart structures, various sensors i.e. Fiber optic sensor, smart concrete, smart structure for seismic protection, health monitoring of smart structure.

J.Gopi Krishna, J.R.Thiruma