DEFECT DETECTION IN MULTI-LAYERED STRUCTURES USING HIGH FREQUENCY GUIDED WAVES

摘要

Aircraft structures contain multi-layered components connected by fasteners, where fatigue cracks and disbonds can develop due to cyclic loading conditions and stress concentration. High frequency guided waves propagating along the structure allow for the efficient non-destructive testing of components, such as aircraft wings. However, the sensitivity for the detection of small defects has to be ascertained. The type of multi-layered model structure investigated consists of two adhesively bonded aluminium plate-strips. High frequency ultrasonic wave propagation along the structure and the sensitivity to disbonds and small defects in the metallic layers was investigated and verified experimentally. Preliminary fatigue experiments were carried out and the sensitivity of the guided waves to monitor fatigue crack growth at a fastener hole during cyclic loading was investigated. The measurement setup has the potential for fatigue crack growth monitoring at critical and difficult to access fastener locations from a stand-off distance.