Open AccessDEDALO: Application of Structural Health Monitoring Systems on UHTC Structures
Author(s) -
V. Latini,
V. Striano,
Frédéric Monteverde,
Ivo Rendina,
C. Parolini
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the open aerospace engineering journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1874-1460
DOI - 10.2174/1874146001003010032
Subject(s) - structural health monitoring , fiber bragg grating , materials science , aerospace , ceramic , robustness (evolution) , optical fiber , fiber optic sensor , thermal expansion , mechanical engineering , computer science , composite material , optoelectronics , aerospace engineering , fiber , engineering , wavelength , telecommunications , biochemistry , chemistry , gene
In aerospace applications the development of a reliable method of structural health monitoring (SHM) is one ofthe most important keys in maintaining the integrity and safety of structures, preventing catastrophic failure. The research program DEDALO aims at developing a real size UHTC-based prototype with a complex shape equippedwith a SHM system for damage detection. A multidisciplinary approach has been adopted involving mechanical design, materials science, manufacturing processesand development of optical devices to detect strain and temperature on the as-produced UHTC articles. Former activitiesmerged into the manufacturing of a prototype hot structure supplied with optical sensing nodes to perform a functionaltest at high temperature. This communication describes the preliminary findings of the project. A series of ZrB-SiC basedcompositions was studied adjusting type, concentration and granulometry of reinforcing phases and additives to furtheridentify the optimal composition for the hot structure. The pressureless sintering technique was selected privileging anear-net-shape approach to reduce the manufacturing costs. A SHM system was developed using commercial high temperature Fiber optic Bragg Grating (FBG), for thermalmonitoring, and custom silica-sapphire fiber optic strain sensor, based on Fabry-Pèrot configuration, allowingsimultaneous and real time measurement of temperature and structural loads applied on the structure under investigation. A ceramic flexible structure was developed to ease sensor installation procedure on complex shape test articles. The fiberoptic sensors interrogation system was developed based on a tunable laser source. Thermal and mechanical tests showed sensor robustness at high temperature and 0,6 µε as accuracy on strain measurement0 togliere up to 800°C. Tile-shaped hot structures were manufactured, equipped with the prototype Structural HealthMonitoring System (SHMS) and functionally tested at high temperature. The project will undergo a second iterative loopwhich foresees investigation on the final test article: a ZrB2-SiC based composite hollow tip.