Part Qualification Methodology for Composite Aircraft Components Using Acoustic Emission Monitoring
The research presented in this article aims to demonstrate how acoustic emission (AE) monitoring can be implemented in an industrial setting to assist with part qualification, as mandated by related industry standards. The combined structural and nondestructive evaluation method presented departs fr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/9/1490 |
| _version_ | 1811338633189261312 |
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| author | Shane Esola Brian J. Wisner Prashanth Abraham Vanniamparambil John Geriguis Antonios Kontsos |
| author_facet | Shane Esola Brian J. Wisner Prashanth Abraham Vanniamparambil John Geriguis Antonios Kontsos |
| author_sort | Shane Esola |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The research presented in this article aims to demonstrate how acoustic emission (AE) monitoring can be implemented in an industrial setting to assist with part qualification, as mandated by related industry standards. The combined structural and nondestructive evaluation method presented departs from the traditional pass/fail criteria used for part qualification, and contributes toward a multi-dimensional assessment by taking advantage of AE data recorded during structural testing. To demonstrate the application of this method, 16 composite fixed-wing-aircraft spars were tested using a structural loading sequence designed around a manufacturer-specified design limit load (DLL). Increasing mechanical loads, expressed as a function of DLL were applied in a load-unload-reload pattern so that AE activity trends could be evaluated. In particular, the widely used Felicity ratio (FR) was calculated in conjunction with specific AE data post-processing, which allowed for spar test classification in terms of apparent damage behavior. To support such analysis and to identify damage critical regions in the spars, AE activity location analysis was also employed. Furthermore, recorded AE data were used to perform statistical analysis to demonstrate how AE datasets collected during part qualification could augment testing conclusions by providing additional information as compared to traditional strength testing frequently employed e.g., in the aerospace industry. In this context, AE data post-processing is presented in conjunction with ultimate strength information, and it is generally shown that the incorporation of AE monitoring is justified in such critical part qualification testing procedures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T18:14:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2d7b635904db49f4829b8735d582bd1b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T18:14:01Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-2d7b635904db49f4829b8735d582bd1b2022-12-22T02:35:45ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172018-08-0189149010.3390/app8091490app8091490Part Qualification Methodology for Composite Aircraft Components Using Acoustic Emission MonitoringShane Esola0Brian J. Wisner1Prashanth Abraham Vanniamparambil2John Geriguis3Antonios Kontsos4Theoretical & Applied Mechanics Group, Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics Department, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USATheoretical & Applied Mechanics Group, Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics Department, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USATheoretical & Applied Mechanics Group, Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics Department, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAGeneral Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc., 9779 Yucca Rd., Adelanto, CA 92301, USATheoretical & Applied Mechanics Group, Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics Department, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAThe research presented in this article aims to demonstrate how acoustic emission (AE) monitoring can be implemented in an industrial setting to assist with part qualification, as mandated by related industry standards. The combined structural and nondestructive evaluation method presented departs from the traditional pass/fail criteria used for part qualification, and contributes toward a multi-dimensional assessment by taking advantage of AE data recorded during structural testing. To demonstrate the application of this method, 16 composite fixed-wing-aircraft spars were tested using a structural loading sequence designed around a manufacturer-specified design limit load (DLL). Increasing mechanical loads, expressed as a function of DLL were applied in a load-unload-reload pattern so that AE activity trends could be evaluated. In particular, the widely used Felicity ratio (FR) was calculated in conjunction with specific AE data post-processing, which allowed for spar test classification in terms of apparent damage behavior. To support such analysis and to identify damage critical regions in the spars, AE activity location analysis was also employed. Furthermore, recorded AE data were used to perform statistical analysis to demonstrate how AE datasets collected during part qualification could augment testing conclusions by providing additional information as compared to traditional strength testing frequently employed e.g., in the aerospace industry. In this context, AE data post-processing is presented in conjunction with ultimate strength information, and it is generally shown that the incorporation of AE monitoring is justified in such critical part qualification testing procedures.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/9/1490part qualificationstructural designcompositesacoustic emissionnondestructive evaluation (NDE) |
| spellingShingle | Shane Esola Brian J. Wisner Prashanth Abraham Vanniamparambil John Geriguis Antonios Kontsos Part Qualification Methodology for Composite Aircraft Components Using Acoustic Emission Monitoring Applied Sciences part qualification structural design composites acoustic emission nondestructive evaluation (NDE) |
| title | Part Qualification Methodology for Composite Aircraft Components Using Acoustic Emission Monitoring |
| title_full | Part Qualification Methodology for Composite Aircraft Components Using Acoustic Emission Monitoring |
| title_fullStr | Part Qualification Methodology for Composite Aircraft Components Using Acoustic Emission Monitoring |
| title_full_unstemmed | Part Qualification Methodology for Composite Aircraft Components Using Acoustic Emission Monitoring |
| title_short | Part Qualification Methodology for Composite Aircraft Components Using Acoustic Emission Monitoring |
| title_sort | part qualification methodology for composite aircraft components using acoustic emission monitoring |
| topic | part qualification structural design composites acoustic emission nondestructive evaluation (NDE) |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/9/1490 |
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