Optical Fiber Sensor Based Aircraft Structural Health Monitoring System

Abstract

The authors have developed an optical fiber based impact damage detection system for composite airframe structure. The objective is to predict the best maintenance timing to minimize unexpected delays and lost opportunities of aircraft operations. The implementation of this technology is being studied jointly with Airbus through the JASTAC II program. A full-scale structure validation test was performed jointly and demonstrated the capabilities of this technology. Other applications tested and demonstrated by the authors include the blunt object impact (BOI) detection and life cycle monitoring.