Dynamics-based Nondestructive Structural Health Monitoring Techniques

Damage detection and health monitoring is a of rising interest for Air Force systems. Health monitoring systems can be implemented as retrofits to existing platforms as included in the design phase of next generation vehicles. Techno-Sciences, Inc. (TSI) and the University of Maryland (UMD) propose to develop a novel damage detection concept to be designed and tested during the STTR effort. The damage detection system uses wave propagation techniques for active interrogation of aircraft structures and sensing systems based on phased array filters. The sensing system will extend existing technology and provide functionality not a vailable in current implementations. The sensor concept will utilize emerging materials systems for transduction. A prototype data acquisition system will be demonstrated in conjunction with the sensor system. Novel signal processing algorithms will be utilized to analyse sensor data for damage detection to be demonstrated in the laboratory. BENEFIT: The proposed health monitoring technology will be applicable to a wide range of end-users in the defense, commercial, and industry sectors. Key benefits and payoffs of the proposed technology are: 1. In-situ and low-profile transducer technology 2. Extensible sensor array design analysis 3. Damage detection algorithms based on innovative signal analysis tools 4. Small form factor data acquisition units designed for damage detection