New Signal Processing Techniques to Interpret, Track and Predict Damage in Aircraft Materials and Structures

摘要

This program of research had as its focus the development and implementation of a synergistic measurement system in which the sensing and processing of ultrasonic signals comprise an autonomous and intelligent measurement system capable of processing a diversity of sensory signals to model, forecast and possibly even control the condition of a material or a structure with respect to its performance. The intended application was to a procedure by which damage in aircraft materials and structures can be tracked and its evolution predicted. Two principal tasks were completed under this contract: (1) Several new airframe structure, wide-area, ultrasonic inspection techniques were explored and the sensory input signals were input into a novel diagnostic system; and (2) A general non-destructive material property and performance prediction system was demonstrated which is capable of processing a wide diversity of inspection and maintenance data. These tasks addressed two recommendations which had been made by a national committee for near- and long- term research related to the nondestructive evaluation and maintenance technology for aircraft.