Early detection of impact fatigue damage in an adhesively-bonded connection using acoustic emission

Wind turbine blades carry the risk of impact damage during transportation, installation, and operation. Such impacts can cause levels of damage that can propagate throughout the structure compromising performance and safety. In this study, the effect of impact damage on fatigue damage propagation in test specimens representative of a spar cap...

Combined Impact and Fatigue Loading in CFRP: Effects of the timing of an impact event during cyclic loading of composite aircraft structures

This research experimentally investigates the effects of an impact event during fatigue loading of a CFRP structure. Open-hole specimens were impacted in-situ during a short interruption of a tension-tension cyclic loading program. The impact was aimed directly below the central hole, with the critical fatigue damage path being left and right of...