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Open AccessArticle
Characterisation and Application of Bio-Inspired Hybrid Composite Sensors for Detecting Barely Visible Damage under Out-of-Plane Loadings
by
Ali Tabatabaeian
Ali Tabatabaeian 1,*,
Reza Mohammadi
Reza Mohammadi 2,
Philip Harrison
Philip Harrison
Dr. Philip Harrison is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, where he co-leads the and in [...]
Dr. Philip Harrison is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, where he co-leads the Materials and Manufacturing Research Group in the James Watt School of Engineering. His research is concerned with modelling the manufacture of advanced composite products and his group has developed various novel computational modelling tools to support this. Prior to working at Glasgow, Philip conducted materials-related research in several internationally leading groups in Europe.
1 and
Mohammad Fotouhi
Mohammad Fotouhi 2,*
1
James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
2
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sensors 2024, 24(16), 5170; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24165170 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 11 May 2024
/
Revised: 15 July 2024
/
Accepted: 5 August 2024
/
Published: 10 August 2024
Abstract
Abstract: Traditional inspection methods often fall short in detecting defects or damage in fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite structures, which can compromise their performance and safety over time. A prime example is barely visible impact damage (BVID) caused by out-of-plane loadings such as indentation and low-velocity impact that can considerably reduce the residual strength. Therefore, developing advanced visual inspection techniques is essential for early detection of defects, enabling proactive maintenance and extending the lifespan of composite structures. This study explores the viability of using novel bio-inspired hybrid composite sensors for detecting BVID in laminated FRP composite structures. Drawing inspiration from the colour-changing mechanisms found in nature, hybrid composite sensors composed of thin-ply glass and carbon layers are designed and attached to the surface of laminated FRP composites exposed to transverse loading. A comprehensive experimental characterisation, including quasi-static indentation and low-velocity impact tests alongside non-destructive evaluations such as ultrasonic C-scan and visual inspection, is conducted to assess the sensors’ efficacy in detecting BVID. Moreover, a comparison between the two transverse loading types, static indentation and low-velocity impact, is presented. The results suggest that integrating sensors into composite structures has a minimal effect on mechanical properties such as structural stiffness and energy absorption, while substantially improving damage visibility. Additionally, the influence of fibre orientation of the sensing layer on sensor performance is evaluated, and correlations between internal and surface damage are demonstrated.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Tabatabaeian, A.; Mohammadi, R.; Harrison, P.; Fotouhi, M.
Characterisation and Application of Bio-Inspired Hybrid Composite Sensors for Detecting Barely Visible Damage under Out-of-Plane Loadings. Sensors 2024, 24, 5170.
https://doi.org/10.3390/s24165170
AMA Style
Tabatabaeian A, Mohammadi R, Harrison P, Fotouhi M.
Characterisation and Application of Bio-Inspired Hybrid Composite Sensors for Detecting Barely Visible Damage under Out-of-Plane Loadings. Sensors. 2024; 24(16):5170.
https://doi.org/10.3390/s24165170
Chicago/Turabian Style
Tabatabaeian, Ali, Reza Mohammadi, Philip Harrison, and Mohammad Fotouhi.
2024. "Characterisation and Application of Bio-Inspired Hybrid Composite Sensors for Detecting Barely Visible Damage under Out-of-Plane Loadings" Sensors 24, no. 16: 5170.
https://doi.org/10.3390/s24165170
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