Damage Detection Algorithms and Sensor Systems for Laminate Composite Beams

Abstract

In this paper, the experimentally measured data of two sensor systems (i.e., a surface-bonded piezoelectric sensor system and a non-contact scanning laser vibrometer (SLV) system) are studied, and three dynamics-based damage detection algorithms are evaluated. The curvature mode shapes are selected as a parameter to locate damage due to its sensitivity. The piezoelectric sensors directly acquire the curvature mode shapes of the structures, while the SLV measures the displacement mode shapes. The beam specimens are made of E-glass/epoxy composites, and several different types of damages are introduced in the beams (i.e., delaminations, impact and saw cut damage). This study provides a thorough assessment of the two sensor systems to damage detection of laminated composite beams and verify the validity of dynamics-based damage detection methodology for locating the local defects in composite structures.