Structural Irregularity and Damage Evaluation Routine (SIDER) for Testing of the 1/2-Scale Corvette Hull Section Subjected to UNDEX Testing
Abstract
This effort entailed performing Structural Irregularity and Damage Evaluation Routine (SIDER) inspection of the entire GRP Hull of a 1/2-scale corvette mid-ship section after each of three underwater explosion (UNDEX) loadings. The SIDER testing was being used to rapidly interrogate the entire hull structure to identify the areas that had experienced structural degradation that manifested itself in a structural stiffness change. These SIDER results were then compared with the results from a conventional ultrasonic inspection. SIDER is currently being evaluated as a precursor to a rapid conventional non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of large composite structures. The corvette hull provided a platform to determine where conventional NDE inspectors should concentrate their inspections. SIDER was able to identify changes for the entire structure in approximately five hours from beginning (setting up equipment) to end (having plots of where the changes occurred on a planform of the hull). By comparison, conventional ultrasonic inspection of about 1/4 of the starboard side of the hull required approximately 2 days. The coordination of a preinspection using SIDER to guide where conventional techniques should concentrate their effort would reduce overall inspection time and cost.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA444357
Entities
People
- Colin P. Ratcliffe
- Roger M. Crane
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division