Dual mode embedded ultrasonic guided wave tomography system for real time health monitoring of composite vehicle armor structures

FBS proposes an embedded sensor based dual mode structural health monitoring (SHM) technique for monitoring damages in composite vehicle armor structures. The passive mode of the proposed SHM technique utilize acoustic emission (AE) sensors to continuously monitor the composite armor structures. Once a damage event is identified from the AE signals, active ultrasonic guided wave tomography tests will be conducted to provide imaging studies of the damage. The location and severity of the damage can be evaluated from the guided wave tomogram. The proposed dual mode saves system bandwidth and energy for damage detection and reporting and therefore can be easily combined with wireless sensing and energy harvesting techniques to provide not only on-board display of damage status but also wirelessly report the damage status to a remote base.