PVDF piezoelectric sensors and related electronics in structural engineering applications

The authors present research activities devoted to examining the characteristics and performance of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors used to monitor force actions between steel and concrete in civil engineering structures. The problem of electronic analog processing of signals generated by PVDF sensing elements is one of the main aspects of this research activity and represents the focal point to guarantee the measurement accuracy. The main problems examined are related to both the development of optimized sensing elements and better measurement strategies to enhance the output signal level. The design of the thick-film sensing element is considered, especially in defining the more efficient geometrical configuration and the best thickness of the active layer. The process used to bond sensing elements to electronics is described considering the hostile environment in which the device works