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Detection of barely visible impact damage in polymeric laminated composites using a biomimetic tactile whisker

Fotouhi, Sakineh; Khayatzadeh, Saber; Pui, Wei Xia; Damghani, Mahdi; Bodaghi, Mahdi; Fotouhi, Mohammad

Detection of barely visible impact damage in polymeric laminated composites using a biomimetic tactile whisker Thumbnail


Authors

Sakineh Fotouhi

Saber Khayatzadeh

Wei Xia Pui

Mahdi Damghani Mahdi.Damghani@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Aerostructures

Mahdi Bodaghi

Mohammad Fotouhi



Abstract

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]4S. 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.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 9, 2021
Online Publication Date Oct 18, 2021
Publication Date Oct 18, 2021
Deposit Date Oct 20, 2021
Publicly Available Date Oct 21, 2021
Journal Polymers
Electronic ISSN 2073-4360
Publisher MDPI
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 13
Issue 20
Article Number 3587
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13203587
Keywords Composite materials; Damage detection; Low velocity impact; Whisker; Ultrasonic
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7925331

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