Numerical Analysis and Experimental Verification of Damage Identification Metrics for Smart Beam with MFC Elements to Support Structural Health Monitoring.

This paper investigates damage identification metrics and their performance using a cantilever beam with a piezoelectric harvester for Structural Health Monitoring. In order to do this, the vibrations of three different beam structures are monitored in a controlled manner via two piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEH) located in two different positions. One of the beams is an undamaged structure recognized as reference structure, while the other two are beam structures with simulated damage in form of drilling holes.

A portable plantar pressure system: Specifications, design, and preliminary results.

Background: In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in developing in-shoe foot plantar pressure systems. Although such devices are not novel, devising insole devices for gait analysis is still an important issue.

Objective: The goal of this study is to develop a new portable system for plantar pressure distribution measurement based on a three-axis accelerometer.