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...

Fragile! handle with care! The effects of vibrations on pastels in transport (poster)

An investigation on hybrid interface using on-line monitoring experiment and finite element analyses

In this work, the hybrid interface between metal and thermosetting polymer matrix composite was studied via experimental and numerical investigations. Hybrid laminates, whose constituents are aluminum foil, carbon fabric and epoxy matrix, were manufactured using the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. Chromic anodization was used to...

Development of Generic Methodology for Designing a Structural Health Monitoring Installation Based on the Acoustic Emission Technique

The Acoustic Emission (AE) technique can be used to perform damage detection and localisation for structural health monitoring purposes. Implementation in aircraft structures however poses a significant challenge as its performance in terms of damage detection and localisation is not well understood when used with complex structural geometries...