Journal Published Online: 01 April 1994
Volume 16, Issue 2

A Field Deployable Nondestructive Impact Damage Assessment Methodology for Composite Structures

CODEN: JCTRER

Abstract

A technique is being developed for rapid in-service detection and quantification of damage in composite airframe structures combining thermal and ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Thermal inspection techniques can be used to identify impact damage areas because it is fast, inspects large areas, and is noncontacting. Once an area of concern is identified, characterization of the depth and extent of the damage can be determined using ultrasonic volumetric imaging. Ultrasonic volumetric imaging quantifies the damage by giving a ply-by-ply view of the damage. Single-sided measurements were made on two types of samples, flat panels with through-the-thickness reinforcements and a “Y”-stiffened skin. These samples were impacted with an aluminum ball at various velocities. The thermal results were compared with ultrasonic C-scans and the ultrasonic volumetric results were compared with destructive tests. The thermal images compared well with the C-scan images in both relative size and shape. It was found that the ultrasonic volumetric results gave a better indication of damage than achievable with the destructive specimen evaluation method. It has been shown that a multidisciplinary approach using thermal and ultrasonic NDE techniques is an efficient and informative inspection method for identifying and quantifying damage.

Author Information

Zalameda, JN
U.S. Army Research Laboratory Vehicle Structures Directorate, NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Farley, GL
U.S. Army Research Laboratory Vehicle Structures Directorate, NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Smith, BT
Applied Science, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Pages: 9
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: CTR10406J
ISSN: 0884-6804
DOI: 10.1520/CTR10406J