Neural Composite Materials
Abstract
An embeddable structural health monitoring system has been developed to measure acoustic emission signals generated by incipient damage in Army structures. The structural health monitoring system is built upon two parallel approaches that mimic signal processing in biological nerve cells. One approach uses a continuous sensor formed by a series connection of piezoelectric sensor nodes and a local signal processor to detect damage. The other uses an array type of sensor with appropriate electronics for quantifying damage. Modeling of wave propagation in simple structural elements was performed and the electrical responses of the sensors were simulated. Coupon specimens and panels were also instrumented with the two types of sensors and tested in the laboratory. The simulation and experimental results both confirmed the advantages offered by these sensors for structural health monitoring applications. A prototype of the acoustic emission local processor was also fabricated, and detailed specifications for implementing the algorithms developed in this project into an embeddable VLSI chip are provided. This project resulted in two U.S. patent applications, of which one has already been granted, and two invention disclosures. Commercialization of this technology is currently being pursued.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 30, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA422526
Entities
People
- Mannur J. Sundaresan
- Mark J. Schmiz
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro