Dataset for 'Crack growth and closure in cementitious composites: monitoring using piezoceramic sensors'

Data collection method:

Throughout both a three-point bending damage senario, and a compressive loading recovery senario, the Impedance response of mortar samples was collected through surface attached PZT sensors. The impedance response was collected at discrete loading points. The voltage used to actuate the PZT sensors was 2 V, and the impedance signature was collected in the frequency range of 15 – 350 kHz. 1000 points were collected in each sweep and a PC was used to both control the impedance analyser and to collect the data. The purpose of this experiment was to demonstrate that both cracking and recovery, healing, can be detected by using the electromechanical impedance method by using surface attached PZT sensors.

Technical details and requirements:

The impedance response of the PZT sensors was collected with a Newtons4th PSM 3750 frequency analyser (Newtons4th Ltd., Leicester, UK) interfaced with an impedance analyser. The impedance analyser was connected to the PZT sensors through 50 Ω coaxial cables, which were connected at one end to the impedance analyser, and the other end connected to the wires which were soldered to the PZT sensors.

Additional information:

The data is in a spreadsheet, which composed of nine sheets. Each sheet contains the impedance response of one surface attached PZT through different loading values, collected at the frequency range 15 kHz- 350 kHz. The sheets were named as follow: Sample 'N'-PZT ('L'), in which: 'N': refers to the sample number. 'L' : refers to the PZT sensor location, which takes either the value of 'C' or 'S' , which are near centre or near support respectively.