Uncertainty analysis in signals used in structural health monitoring via guided waves

• Grant number: 22/07867-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2022
• End date: July 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanics of Solids
• Principal Investigator: Vitor Ramos Franco
• Grantee: Leonardo do Prado Angelico
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

As a structure ages along with the environmental effects, structural damages may occur until the structure collapses itself. In this context, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques are required to detect damage, identify its location, quantify it and, in some cases, control or repair it. Despite being widely applied, SHM techniques may have some drawbacks, for example, because of the variations in the results attributed to environmental and physical variables, or in other words, owing to the presence of uncertainties involved in the data used for monitoring. The aim of this study is to investigate how uncertainties influence decision-making using an SHM system. By using piezoelectric sensors and actuators, guided waves will be generated and sensed on the surface of a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plate (CFRP). Uncertainties caused by geometric variations in the system and the influence of environmental variables on monitoring signals will be considered. Through analysis of the results for the system working continuously within a specific time interval, a robust SHM system capable of performing reliable diagnoses, even in the presence of uncertainties, is expected.(AU)