Force changes in axially loaded members can be monitored by quantifying variations in impedance signatures. However, statistical damage metrics, which are not physically related to the axial load, often lead to difficulties in accurately estimating the amount of axial force changes. Inspired by the wearable technology, this study proposes a novel wearable piezoelectric interface that can be used to monitor and quantitatively estimate the force changes in axial members. Firstly, an impedance-based force estimation method was developed for axially loaded members. The estimation was based on the relationship between the axial force level and the peak frequencies of impedance signatures, which were obtained from the wearable piezoelectric interface. The estimation of the load transfer capability from the axial member to the wearable interface was found to be an important factor for the accurate prediction of axial force. Secondly, a prototype of the wearable piezoelectric interface was designed to be easily fitted into existing axial members. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed technique was established by assessing tension force changes in a numerical model of an axially loaded cylindrical member and a lab-scale model of a prestressed cable structure.
Keywords: axial member; impedance method; impedance signatures; piezoelectric interface; tension force; wearable technology.