Strain Monitoring using a Rayleigh Backscattering System for a Composite UAV Wing Instrumented with an Embedded Optical Fiber

The primary objective of this research study was to evaluate the capabilities for measuring strain of a composite UAV wing with an embedded optical fiber connected to a Rayleigh backscattering distributed sensing system. This research paper summarizes the manufacturing procedure used during the instrumentation of the composite UAV wing. In...

Sensor Fusion for Shape Sensing: Theory and Numerical Simulation

Computing global strain distributions in complex aerospace and wind energy structures in quasi-real time is an important challenge for the aerospace and wind energy industry. Shape sensing is being considered as a potential means for obtaining global strain fields of complex structures. This is achieved through the use of inverse finite element...

Mechanical behaviour of thermoplastic composites spot-welded and mechanically fastened joints: A preliminary comparison

The in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical behaviour of both ultrasonically spot-welded and mechanically fastened joints was investigated by double-lap shear and pull-through tests, respectively. Spot-welded specimens showed comparable onset failure load and significantly higher joint stiffness compared to mechanical fasteners when carrying shear...

Fatigue crack growth in residual stress fields

Sensor Fusion Applied To Shape Sensing: Theory and Numerical Proof-of-Concept (poster)

Existing shape sensing methods use individual sensor types, determining either strain or displacement well, but not both. More accurate shape sensing could improve load estimation, necessary for accurate life assessment of the structure.