A novel electrical resistance tomography system of carbon fiber smart layer for structural health monitoring

Based on the function character and conductivity of carbon fiber smart layer (CFSL), A novel electrical resistance tomography (ERT) system of CFSL had been developed for whole field structural health monitoring (SHM). The apposite Tikhonov regularization principle and modified Newton-Raphson (MNR) algorithm were adopted to solve the ERT inverse problem. Its effectiveness was evaluated using virtual experimental. The resistivity distribution image of CFSL sensor had been obtained from the ERT system, which data came form the virtual experimental. The result showed that the electrical resistivity of CFSL sensor increases under tension. Its high-resistivity area was distributed in the high stress/strain area of the structure. Its resistivity distribution indicated structural stress/strain condition. It is feasibility to whole field SHM using the function character of smart layer and ERT technology.