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Evaluation of Structural Health Monitoring Sensors During Fatigue Loading at Room Temperature
Abstract
This paper focuses on exploring the repeatability of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) sensors to detect fatigue cracks emanating from crack-starter notches in 0.063 inches (1.6 mm) thick, aluminium 7075-T6 panels, measuring 12 by 24 inches (304.8 by 609.6 mm) in a room temperature environment. Three panels were tested in total, where each panel had three 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) diameter holes, drilled at 3 inches (76.2 mm) apart along the vertical centre of the plates. Two outer holes had electrical discharge machining notches for starting fatigue cracks. Four different SHM technologies: acoustic ultrasonic, National Research Council developed crack foil sensor, resistance wire strain gauges, and thermoelastic stress analysis, were evaluated for their ability to repeatedly and reliably detect growing fatigue cracks. Repeatability in the context of this work is defined as using the same SHM sensor systems on identical test coupons to see if the same level of detection and/or trend could be achieved.
DOI
10.12783/shm2019/32218
10.12783/shm2019/32218