The CCPS (Customized Crack Propagation Sensor) Concept as a Crack Gauge with Enhanced Functional Features for SHM

The paper presents the concept of customized crack propagation sensor. Its principal of operation and implementation place that sensor in the group of crack gauges, but with enhanced functional features, as compared to commercially available ones. That type of sensor can be used as a part of Structural Health monitoring system for integrated sensor network. As common SHM techniques still haven't closed the gap from laboratory investigation to industrial implementation, the presented method can become an attractive alternative as high cost-to-benefit ratio approach to support monitoring of a fatigue cracks. The main drawbacks of commercial crack gauges are delivered as well as the concept, how to overcome those. The CCPS is manufactured with use of conductive pastes/inks for the sensing layer and elastic polymer materials for insulating and top layer. The materials and manufacturing method used to produce the sensor entails it to be tailored by means of shape and dimensions to the monitored location within the structure. An exemplary results from CCPS installed on the structure with dense riveting are presented in the paper.