Detection of barely visible impact damage in polymeric laminated composites using a biomimetic tactile whisker

Fotouhi, S. , Khayatzadeh, S., Pui, W. X., Damghani, M. and Fotouhi, M. (2021) Detection of barely visible impact damage in polymeric laminated composites using a biomimetic tactile whisker. Polymers, 13(20), 3587. (doi: 10.3390/polym13203587) (PMCID:PMC8536986)

[img] Text
256027.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

16MB

Abstract

This is a novel investigation on the possibility of detecting barely visible impact damage (BVID) in composite materials by whisking across the surface via tactile whisker sensors that resemble rats’ whiskers. A series of drop tower low-velocity impact tests were performed on quasi-isotropic composite plates. The plates were made from unidirectional T800 carbon/MTM49-3 epoxy prepregs with the stacking sequence of [45/0/90/−45]4S. Investigating the specimens’ surface by the naked eye does not reveal any significant damage, rather than a small dent on the surface, with no tangible difference in the different impact energy levels. Ultrasonic C-scan observations showed the existence of BVID in all the impact energy levels, with an increasing trend in the damage size by increasing the impact energy level. The collected data from whisker sensors were analyzed using the support vector machine classifier, based on their vibrational properties, to identify the impacted region and classify the impact severity. It was observed that after training for 13 whisker contacts, the BVID severity can be classified with an accuracy of 100%. This is offering a new BVID detection technique, with a high potential for automation and high reliability that can be used as an alternative or combined with available inspection systems

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Fotouhi, Dr Sakineh and Fotouhi, Dr Mohammad
Authors: Fotouhi, S., Khayatzadeh, S., Pui, W. X., Damghani, M., and Fotouhi, M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
Journal Name:Polymers
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:2073-4360
ISSN (Online):2073-4360
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 by the authors
First Published:First published in Polymers 13(20):3587
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
310254Novel architectures for visibility and tolerance of impact damage in composites (VIDCOM)Mohammad FotouhiEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/V009451/1ENG - Aerospace Sciences