Overview
The VIBRATION project aims to provide an improved solution for the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of composite structures based on the vibration characteristics of the structure during operation. The resulting SHM platform will employ advance vibration based techniques in order to provide information on the damage location and severity.
Work Plan
WP 1 Finalisation of specifications
WP 2 Lab scale experiments
WP 3 FE and damage modelling
WP 4 Advanced signal processing tool
WP 5 Prototype SHM platform development
WP 6 Full scale demonstration
WP 7 Exploitation and dissemination
WP 8 Consortium Management
Funding
Results
Vibrations detect aircraft defects
EU-funding is supporting the development of a novel in-flight vibration-based structural monitoring platform trained to detect defects via modelling rather than real experience. Significant advantages in time, cost and safety are expected.
In-flight structural health monitoring of composite aero structures can be a complex task requiring many types of sensors.
Vibrational behaviour is a good global characteristic that offers the potential to significantly reduce the number of sensors.
However, practical application of vibration-based structural health monitoring strategies requires many real-world training sessions for successful fault detection, identification and localisation. Simulated training is replacing the majority of real-world tests for substantial time and cost savings within the scope of the EU-funded project http://www.fp7-vibration.eu/ (VIBRATION).
Scientists are planning to manufacture four full-size composite booms equipped with the vibrational structural health monitoring platform to study damage after impact as the test case.
Finite element modelling will be used for simulated training. During the first period, the team began the manufacture of 45 small-scale composite parts integrating a selected resin and two types of fibre reinforcements.
The first batch is now undergoing vibration characterisation in the healthy state.
Similar tests will be conducted after impact damage.
In addition, researchers conducted 16 different static and frequency analyses employing various finite element approaches.
This aided in the selection of the most suitable model for the small-scale specimens. VIBRATION has devoted its preliminary work to laying the foundations for the demonstrators and the final experiments in the real aerospace component to facilitate maximum technological readiness.
The end-user partner has invested heavily in the demonstrators, evidence of industry interest in exploitation of results. The in-flight structural health monitoring platform for aerospace composites based on vibrational signals should reduce the complexity of sensor networks and improve passenger and crew safety.
Training on models will also significantly decrease the time and cost of inspection and maintenance, thus boosting the competitive position of the aerospace industry.