Structural Damage Monitoring of a Composite Wing Using Multiple Types of Sensors

This paper outlines an ongoing SHM project called KASHMOS where the damage detection in composite wing structures using multiple sensors is investigated. The test bed is a composite UAV wing section and the ground structural tests are being performed to evaluate developed systems. Different kinds of damage modes in prearranged areas are intentionally induced. Optical fiber sensors, piezo-electric active sensors and Q-switched pulse lasers are utilized for detecting the damage and monitoring the integrity of the wing structure. Strain-based, impedance-based, and ultrasonic-wave-based damage monitoring methods are studied. Although this investigation is based on the ground tests, the operation concepts for the onboard system as well as the ground system are also considered.