A new method of measuring sand impact force using piezoelectric ceramics

The piezoelectric ceramic chip, called ‘PZT-5A’, is used as a force sensor to measure sand impact force in wind-driven sand flow field. The calibration test established the relationship between sand impact force and output voltage of PZT-5A. In wind-driven sand tunnel test, sand impact force of PZT-5A on windward side of low-rise building is measured. And force-moment sensor measured the total force of wind-driven sand flow on windward side, that wind force and sand impact force are calculated respectively by analyzing the interaction between wind and sand. The results show that the percentage difference of sand impact force on windward side measured by PZT-5A and force-moment sensor is −11.27 to 9.17%, with an average of −2.15%. The results are in good agreement, indicating that PZT-5A is feasible and accurate in measuring sand impact force. The percentage of sand impact force in wind force at the corresponding height below 40 cm is 1.7–28.9%.