MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	MEMS Sensors for Transportation Structures
Authors:	K. L. Peterson and P. R. Heyliger
University:	Colorado State University
Publication Date:	Jul 2018
Report #:	MPC-18-343
Project #:	MPC-378
TRID #:	01680062
Keywords:	capacitors, cracking, finite element method, infrastructure, mechatronics, nondestructive tests, sensors, structural health monitoring, ultrasonics, vibration

Abstract

Of all microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), regardless of application, micron-scale spacing of interleaved electrodes and high-dielectric ceramics in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) provide exceptionally high capacitances in small volumes. This has led to MLCCs being the preferred type of capacitor in a wide range of applications where size and weight are critical factors. However, crack-related failures of MLCCs remain a significant issue. Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) and resonant nonlinear ultrasonics are being pursued as nondestructive techniques for detecting subsurface cracks that can evolve into performance-degrading electrical pathways during service. This report presents finite-element calculations of the vibrational modes of MLCCs. The geometric symmetry in the finite-element model was orthorhombic, with three orthogonal mirror planes, and the detailed internal structure of interleaved metallic and ceramic materials was included in the model. The assumption of three mirror planes enabled an analysis of the normal modes of the full model through calculations on a mesh, spanning just one eighth of the full volume. The computational load was further reduced by separating the problem into eight modal-symmetry sets with different boundary conditions for each set. The first three non-zero frequencies are presented for each modal symmetry set. In addition, displacement plots are presented for the two or three lowest-frequency modes of each symmetry set. These results provide information on the frequency ordering and symmetries of vibrational modes that can be used in the analysis of ultrasonic resonance measurements of MLCCs.

How to Cite

Peterson, K. L., and P. R. Heyliger. MEMS Sensors for Transportation Structures, MPC-18-343. North Dakota State University - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo: Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2018.