Detection of Barely Visible Impact Damage in Polymeric Laminated Composites Using a Biomimetic Tactile Whisker

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 composi...

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Main Authors: Sakineh Fotouhi, Saber Khayatzadeh, Wei Xia Pui, Mahdi Damghani, Mahdi Bodaghi, Mohamad Fotouhi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/20/3587
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author Sakineh Fotouhi
Saber Khayatzadeh
Wei Xia Pui
Mahdi Damghani
Mahdi Bodaghi
Mohamad Fotouhi
author_facet Sakineh Fotouhi
Saber Khayatzadeh
Wei Xia Pui
Mahdi Damghani
Mahdi Bodaghi
Mohamad Fotouhi
author_sort Sakineh Fotouhi
collection DOAJ
description 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]<sub>4S</sub>. 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.
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spelling doaj.art-a9fb88219cbe4a7d85a76d963a0c859b2023-11-22T19:48:04ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-10-011320358710.3390/polym13203587Detection of Barely Visible Impact Damage in Polymeric Laminated Composites Using a Biomimetic Tactile WhiskerSakineh Fotouhi0Saber Khayatzadeh1Wei Xia Pui2Mahdi Damghani3Mahdi Bodaghi4Mohamad Fotouhi5School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UKDepartment of Design and Mathematics, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UKDepartment of Aerospace Engineering, Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS), University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR, UKDepartment of Design and Mathematics, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UKDepartment of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UKDepartment of Design and Mathematics, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UKThis 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]<sub>4S</sub>. 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/20/3587composite materialsdamage detectionlow velocity impactwhiskerultrasonic
spellingShingle Sakineh Fotouhi
Saber Khayatzadeh
Wei Xia Pui
Mahdi Damghani
Mahdi Bodaghi
Mohamad Fotouhi
Detection of Barely Visible Impact Damage in Polymeric Laminated Composites Using a Biomimetic Tactile Whisker
Polymers
composite materials
damage detection
low velocity impact
whisker
ultrasonic
title Detection of Barely Visible Impact Damage in Polymeric Laminated Composites Using a Biomimetic Tactile Whisker
title_full Detection of Barely Visible Impact Damage in Polymeric Laminated Composites Using a Biomimetic Tactile Whisker
title_fullStr Detection of Barely Visible Impact Damage in Polymeric Laminated Composites Using a Biomimetic Tactile Whisker
title_full_unstemmed Detection of Barely Visible Impact Damage in Polymeric Laminated Composites Using a Biomimetic Tactile Whisker
title_short Detection of Barely Visible Impact Damage in Polymeric Laminated Composites Using a Biomimetic Tactile Whisker
title_sort detection of barely visible impact damage in polymeric laminated composites using a biomimetic tactile whisker
topic composite materials
damage detection
low velocity impact
whisker
ultrasonic
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/20/3587
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