Monitoring Damage Growth in Carbon/Epoxy Composite Panels

摘要

Composite materials are profuse emitters of acoustic emissions (AE) during the occurrence of damage. In some cases, the signals measured are due to growth of noncritical damage. To have a more accurate SHM technique, distinguishing between critical and non-critical damage is necessary. This work focuses on monitoring damage growth and relating AE signals of critical growth to the reduction in structural integrity. Specifically, AE signals were experimentally measured in carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) specimens. Once the specimens were prepared, they were placed under quasi-static and fatigue loading until failure. Attenuation of AE signals were studied and mode-I delamination tests were conducted as well.