| Structural health monitoring is a process of analyzing and estimating the state or condition of a structure system with the aim to reduce or avoid catastrophic failure, augment optimal use of structure, reduce schedule and periodic maintenance, save cost, minimize human involvement, improve safety and promote reliability. An ideal way to implement this is to embed a wireless sensor network as an integral part of a structure (e.g. rotorcrafts) using a piezoelectric generator.;Piezoelectric material can create electric charge when mechanically stressed; this can then be used to scavenge energy lost due to vibration and rotation of such structure to power sensors. Batteries deplete after stipulated time and will require being periodically replaced or recharged making them unsuitable for various applications. A way to substitute batteries is making an energy harvesting system an integral part of structures such as bridges, rotorcrafts, etc.;The aim of this thesis is to investigate the potential of using strains available from a rotating rotorcraft blade such as a black hawk UH-60A during forward flight with the use of a piezoelectric material. The process includes creating numerical models to investigate the behavior of rotating blade. The ideal location to place a piezoelectric material was determined by shifting the patch momentarily on the blade showing its ability to work as an energy harvesting system. |
