In-service TSA of composite structures using transient loading

Quinn, S., Dulieu-Barton, J.M. and Fruehmann, R.K. (2008) In-service TSA of composite structures using transient loading. SEM XI International Congress on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, Orlando, USA. 01 - 04 Jun 2008. 8 pp .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

At present Thermoelastic Stress Analysis (TSA) is a laboratory based technique as it is limited by the requirement to use a cyclic load. TSA has been proven effective in the monitoring, detection and characterisation of damage in composite components in the laboratory. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that it is possible to obtain quantitative data from a transient excitation provided by an impulse load. Test specimens of woven glass reinforced epoxy material were manufactured. Impact damage was produced in the specimens by drop tests. A Cedip Infrared Systems, solid state cooled, array detector (320 by 256 elements) was used to collect the thermal data from the specimens. A specially designed rig was used to clamp the specimens and to provide the impulse load. The paper contains a detailed description of the rig. Specimens were tested that contained different levels of damage and it is demonstrated that the different levels of damage can be identified by the TSA during the transient loading

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