A Novel Self-sensing Local/Global Structural Health Monitoring System

The objective of this proposed project is to develop dual E/M impedance and wave propagation based innovative structural health monitoring (SHM) system for application to composite structures for Army rotorcraft and unmanned air vehicle platforms. Composites can incur invisible damage from impacts, loading abrasion, operator abuse, or neglect that if unchecked may lead to lower structural reliability, higher life-cycle costs, and loss in operational capability. This situation can be rectified by the use of a built-in inspection system that can monitor structures in real-time thereby providing for inspection and damage detection with minimal labor involvement. Acellent proposes the development of a stand-alone sensory array system containing the capabilities for local and global structural area damage detection, data evaluation, wireless data transmission and data storage and processing. The system will be developed based on Acellent's SMART Layer Technology that utilizes a built-in network of piezoelectric transducers embedded on a thin dielectric carrier film that queries, monitors and evaluates the condition of a structure. Phase I will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of development of a dual methodology E/M impedance and wave propagation system using an embedded sensor network. Architecture requirements for a diagnostic/prognostic SHM system will also be developed in conjunction.