ABSTRACT
Abstract. Previous laboratory developed studies have validated an original method enabling the in situ real time health monitoring of a composite structure by means of an inserted piezoelectric sensor. In order to extend such a method from laboratory conditions to the industrial situation, it is necessary to take into account of two kinds of defects linked to the non correct positioning and to the imperfect bonding of the piezoelectric plate in the structure to be charaterised. We have proposed a specific criterion to detect and evaluate these types of imperfection by using analytical relations linking acoustical parameters extracted by the numerical method. The application have concerned the in situ monitoring of the curing of a polymer based composite.
