
Ultrasonic Guided Waves based SHM system to detect Barely Visible Impact Damages Growth in CFRP under fatigue loads
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Low-Velocity Impact (LVI) events in Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates induce Barely Visible Impact Damages (BVIDs) whose propagation mechanisms under long fatigue life compression-compression loading conditions are often characterized by a consistent slow-growth phase, followed by unstable propagation [1-3]. However, this behaviour may be influenced by the limitations of the used conventional traditional non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, such as ultrasonic C-Scan. While widely employed, C-Scan technology can struggle to detect the growth of internal damages, such as matrix cracks or delaminations, within the shadowing effect of outer delaminations. As a result, the apparent no-growth phase could mask the progression of damage that remains undetected due to these limitations. To address these challenges, this study explores the potential of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems based on ultrasonic guided waves (UGWs) [4] to provide more accurate insights into fatigue damage growth. This research is part of the project “TU-LEARN – sTrUctural Life Extension enhAnced by aRtificial iNtelligence,” funded by the European Union under the Next Generation EU initiative as part of the PRIN 2022 PNRR program (D.D. n. 1409 of 14-09-2022). The primary objective is to develop an SHM system capable of identifying and monitoring delamination growth in CFRP laminates subjected to fatigue loading conditions. The SHM system leverages UGWs generated and received by piezoelectric transducers (PZTs). Preliminary experimental results are presented, highlighting the ability of UGWs to detect damage evolution even within the shadowed regions caused by outer delaminations. Initial findings suggest that UGWs offer a more sensitive and reliable approach to monitor fatigue damage growth compared totraditional NDT methods.