Damage detection in a composite T-joint using guided Lamb waves

Marilyne Philibert, Constantinos Soutis, Matthieu Gresil, Kui Yao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Low velocity impact induces barely visible damage in the form of matrix cracking or delamination that can grow under hydro-thermo-mechanical loading and possibly lead to catastrophic failure if not detected at an early stage. A network of piezoelectric transducers can be used to monitor a structure over time for life prognosis through generation and sensing of guided ultrasonic waves. The aim of this study is to design and develop such a sensing method for damage assessment in a composite T-joint subjected to mechanical impacts. In this context, monitoring of Lamb waves in a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) T-joint has been completed where dispersion and tuning curves have been obtained. Guided waves are transmitted into the structure through different specified pairs of surface-bonded lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) transducers in a pitch-catch active structural health monitoring (SHM) approach. With these experiments, Lamb wave fundamental modes (A0 and S0) are identified for monitoring impact damage by signal comparison with a prior obtained baseline. Detecting 4J and 10J inner impacts within the central region of the specimen is challenging when using conventional non-destructive techniques (NDT) because of the complex geometry and interference with the web. Signals are compared for the same selected sensing path; and amplitude differences in dispersion curves have been observed after the 10J impact, which imply the occurrence of a structural change related to the impact.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalAerospace
Volume5
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Apr 2018

Keywords

  • composite
  • T-joint
  • SHM
  • impact damage
  • piezoelectric transducers
  • lamb waves

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • National Graphene Institute

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Damage detection in a composite T-joint using guided Lamb waves'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this