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Integration of eddy current sensors into repair patches for fatigue reinforcement at rivet holes
Author(s) -
Schmid Sebastian,
Martens Ulrike,
Schomburg Werner Karl,
Schröder KaiUwe
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
strain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.477
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1475-1305
pISSN - 0039-2103
DOI - 10.1111/str.12387
Subject(s) - rivet , structural engineering , service life , eddy current sensor , damage tolerance , reinforcement , materials science , eddy current , paris' law , reduction (mathematics) , engineering , crack closure , fracture mechanics , composite material , electrical engineering , geometry , mathematics , composite number
Fatigue cracks at rivet holes occur at advanced service life of aircrafts due to cyclic loading. As a repair method, adhesively bonded stiffener patches enhance the fatigue life of the structure by delaying crack initiation and reducing crack growth. Combining a crack sensor with a repair patch to a sensor‐based stiffener patch allows crack growth reduction and monitoring at the same time. This paper presents a feasibility study on the integration of eddy current sensors into carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) repair patches. To this end, a specific patch design is developed, and samples are manufactured by ultrasonic fabrication. The performance of the patches is investigated in fatigue tests in terms of ‘crack reinforcement’ and ‘crack detection.’ Both requirements are met. The undertaking of future efforts to tailor the sensor‐based repair patch concept to an individual application in aircraft maintenance seems reasonable.