Multiple Delamination Detection of a Composite Beam Using Magnetostrictive Patch

Abstract

This paper deals with detection of multiple through-the-width delaminations for a laminated beam using smart magnetostrictive material patches. A dynamic analytical model is developed using the classical beam theory and the assumption of constant peel and shear strains through bond line thickness. A magnetostrictive patch is perfectly bonded on the top surface of a host laminated beam. One of the magnetostrictive patch segments is employed as an actuator to excite the beam system, whereas the rest are employed as sensors to measure the required magnetic flux density passing through each magnetostrictive patch segment. A typical multiple delamination pattern, namely the original-pattern, is considered in this investigation. By monitoring the variation trend of magnetic flux density distributions along beam length, multiple delaminations within a laminated beam system can be clearly identified. A comparison of the first three frequencies between the present analytical and finite element analysis models shows that there is a good agreement between these two models.