Development of lightweight structural health monitoring systems for aerospace applications

Pearson, Matthew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1625-3611 2013. Development of lightweight structural health monitoring systems for aerospace applications. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis investigates the development of structural health monitoring systems (SHM) for aerospace applications. The work focuses on each aspect of a SHM system covering novel transducer technologies and damage detection techniques to detect and locate damage in metallic and composite structures. Secondly the potential of energy harvesting and power arranagement methodologies to provide a stable power source is assessed. Finally culminating in the realisation of smart SHM structures. 1. Transducer Technology A thorough experimental study of low profile, low weight novel transducers not normally used for acoustic emission (AE) and acousto-ultrasonics (AU) damage detection was conducted. This included assessment of their performance when exposed to aircraft environments and feasibility of embedding these transducers in composites specimens in order to realise smart structures. 2. Damage Detection An extensive experimental programme into damage detection utilising AE and AU were conducted in both composites and metallic structures. These techniques were used to assess different damage mechanism within these materials. The same transducers were used for novel AE location techniques coupled with AU similarity assessment to successfully detect and locate damage in a variety of structures. 3. Energy Harvesting and Power Management Experimental investigations and numerical simulations were undertaken to assess the power generation levels of piezoelectric and thermoelectric generators for typical vibration and temperature differentials which exist in the aerospace environment. Furthermore a power management system was assessed to demonstrate the ability of the system to take the varying nature of the input power and condition it to a stable power source for a system. 4. Smart Structures The research conducted is brought together into a smart carbon fibre wing showcasing the novel embedded transducers for AE and AU damage detection and location, as well as vibration energy harvesting. A study into impact damage detection using the techniques showed the successful detection and location of damage. Also the feasibility of the embedded transducers for power generation was assessed.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Structural health monitoring ; damage detection ; acoustic emission ; energy harvesting ; power management
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2022 11:09
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/47104

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