• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.69-76
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• 2010

The structural material with the highest possibility of new materials that will be used in the future construction field is fiber reinforced polymer. The current studies on FRP members by using such excellent material characteristics mostly focused on stability, composite problem, and durability of FRP members. The initially constructed FRP members secure excellent stability and durability compared to reinforced concrete and steel materials, but measures for defections during the periodical inspection, methods for detecting breakages, and maintenance and reinforcement are not insufficient. Accordingly, this study proposed a measurement system using the FRP sensor to evaluate the safety of the FRP modular box member, and applied the phased array ultrasonic technique to detect the defects and damage likely to occur during the performance period.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.795-817
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• 2016

A non-contact, in-situ and non-invasive technique for health monitoring of submerged fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) laminates has been developed using ultrasonic guided waves. A pair of mobile transducers at specific angles of incidence to the submerged FRP specimen was used to excite Lamb wave modes. Lamb wave modes were used for comprehensive inspection of various types of manufacturing defects like air gaps and missing epoxy, introduced during manufacturing of FRP using Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM). Further service induced damages like notches and surface defects were also studied and evaluated using guided waves. Quantitative evaluation of transmitted ultrasonic signal in defect ridden FRPs $vis-{\grave{a}}-vis$ healthy signal has been used to relate the extent of damage in FRPs. The developed technique has the potential to develop into a quick, real time health monitoring tool for judging the service worthiness of FRPs.

• Journal of Advanced Engineering and Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2018

Terahertz waves (T-ray) was extensively studied for the NDE (nondestructive evaluation) of characterization of trailing edges for a use of turbines composed with composite materials. The used NDE system were consisted of both CW(Continuous wave) and TDS (Time domain spectroscopy). The FRP composites were utilized for two kinds of both trailing edges of wind energy (non-conducting polymeric composites) and carbon fiber composites with conducting properties. The signals of T-ray in the TDS (Time domain spectroscopy) mode resembles almost that of ultrasound waves; however, a terahertz pulse could not penetrate a material with conductivity unlike ultrasound. Also, a method was suggested to obtain the "n" in the materials, which is called the refractive index (n). The data of refractive index (n) could be solved for the trailing edges. The trailing edges were scanned for characterization and inspection. C-scan and B-scan images were obtained and best optimal NDE techniques were suggested for complicated geometry samples by terahertz radiation. Especially, it is found that the defect image of T-ray corresponded with defect locations for the trailing edges of wind mill.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.87 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2023

Any pre-existed delamination defect present during manufacturing or induce during service loading conditions in the wingskin adherend invariably shows a greater loss of structural integrity of the spar wingskin joint (SWJ). In the present study, inter-laminar delamination propagation at the critical location of the SWJ has been carried out using contact and multi-point constraint finite elements available with commercial FE software (ANSYS APDL). Strain energy release rates (SERR) based on virtual crack closure technique have been computed for evaluation of the opening (Mode-I), sliding (Mode-II) and cross sliding (Mode-III) modes of delamination by sequential release of multi point constraint elements. The variations of different modes of SERR are observed to be significant by considering varied delamination lengths, material properties of adherends and radius of curvature of the SWJ panel. The SERR rates are seen to be much different at the two pre-embedded delamination ends. This shows dissimilar delamination propagation rates. The maximum is seen to occur in the delamination front in the unstiffened region of the wingskin. The curvature geometry and material anisotropy of SWJ adherends significantly influences the SERR values. Increase in the SERR values are observed with decrease in the radius of curvature of wingskin panel, keeping its width unchanged. SWJs made with flat FRP composite adherends have superior resistance to delamination damage propagation than curved composite laminated SWJ panels. SWJ made with Boron/Epoxy (B/E) material shows greater resistance to the delamination propagation.