Evaluation of Impact Damage in Composite Structures Using Ultrasonic Testing

Abstract

Barely visible impact damage is one of the problems commonly occurring in composite elements during an aircraft operation. The authors described the mechanisms of impact damage formation and propagation in composite structures. The paper presents a performed analysis of an influence of impact parameters on the resulting damage, i.e. its detectability by means of visual observation as well as its extent determined based on ultrasonic tests results. The tests were conducted on the CFRP specimens with a wide range of impact damage cases obtained with combinations of variable impact energy and shapes of impactors. Additionally, an algorithm based on image processing and image analysis methods is proposed for the purpose of the effective evaluation of the ultrasonic data obtained.

Enhancement of impact toughness and damage behaviour of natural fibre reinforced composites and their hybrids through novel improvement techniques: A critical review

“…1. Schematic description of impact location and damage mode of laminates' composite [22] Therefore, identifying the various damage modes and their progression towards impact is vital.…”

Influence of Hole Localization on Local and Global Dynamic Response of Thin-Walled Laminated Cantilever Beam

“…The size and location of damage can be determined by applying appropriate algorithms. Damage detection methods for laminated structures are mostly based on: changing values of the eigen-frequencies, changing the shape of eigen-modes, changing energy of strain [ 2 , 3 ], ultrasonic testing [ 4 ], fibre Bragg grating [ 5 ], and change in elastic wave propagation [ 6 ]. …”