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Innovative Tools for Structural Diagnostics of Rotorcraft Fatigue Critical…

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
104924 		Solicitation Year:
2010 		Solicitation Topic Code:
A2.09 		Solicitation Number:
Small Business Information
Numerical Technology Company, LLC
120 Annie Cook Way Roswell, GA 30076-5844
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: Innovative Tools for Structural Diagnostics of Rotorcraft Fatigue Critical Composite Parts
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX11CG82P
Award Amount: $99,858.00
 

Abstract:

We propose the development of a validated analysis tool to characterize manufacturing defects and structural damage in composite parts. The objective of Phase I is to develop and verify a technology for accurate characterization of manufacturing defects and structural damage in fatigue-critical fiberglass/epoxy and carbon/epoxy composite structures based on three-dimensional micro-focus CT measurements. Key requirements for the diagnostic technology include: (a) ability to generate accurate subsurface geometry data for a composite structure with manufacturing defects (such as wrinkles and voids) and structural damage (matrix cracks and delaminations) based on the micro-focus CT measurements; and (b) automated ability to convert the geometry data into three-dimensional structural finite element models for assessment of the effects of defects and structural damage.Ability to measure the manufacturing defects and structural damage and understand their effects is a key to accurate assessment of part condition and condition based maintenance for composite fatigue-critical, flight-critical components and structure. Automated interpretation of nondestructive measurement of subsurface defects and structural damage is required for accurate structural diagnostics. Defect and damage measurement aided by rudimentary tools such as a ruler or a caliper could result in unacceptable measurement variation and affect the objectivity at making disposition decision of the affected part. Tools for rotorcraft diagnostics and condition based maintenance developed in the proposed effort will provide a mechanism to merge state-of-the-art in the nondestructive measurement and the durability and damage tolerance methods for composites and the implementation of the algorithms in commercial software.

Principal Investigator:

Yuriy G. Nikishkov
Principal Investigator
4045633773
yuri.nikishkov@ae.gatech.edu

Business Contact:

Andrew Makeev
President
4048402378
andrew.makeev@aerospace.gatech.edu
Small Business Information at Submission:

Numerical Technology Company, LLC
120 Annie Cook Way Roswell, GA 30076-5844

EIN/Tax ID: 273333949
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No