Dans ce travail, nous abordons la quantification de dommage de type délaminage dans des stratifiés en CFRP. Le problème de quantification est transformé en un problème de classification multiclasses au sens de l'apprentissage statistique. Chaque classe correspond à une certaine sévérité de dommage. Le modèle de machine à vecteurs de support (SVM) est utilisé pour effectuer la classification. Généralement, des descripteurs de dommage basés sur une utilisation directe des signaux mesurés (SBF) sont utilisés pour apprendre les modèles décisionnels. Dans ce travail, nous nous basons sur l'hypothèse qu'un dommage génère nécessairement une part de non linéarité dans la réponse dynamique de la structure et nous investiguons la pertinence de l'utilisation de descripteurs de dommage basés sur un modèle non linéaire (NMBF) pour améliorer les performances du modèle décisionnel. Les NMBF proposés sont calculés en se basant sur le modèle de Hammerstein en parallèle identifié avec un signal de type "sweep exponentiel". Une réduction de dimension du vecteur des caractéristiques en utilisant l'ACP est également conduite et son effet sur les performances du processus de quantification suggéré est étudié. L'approche de quantification proposée a été testée et validée en utilisant des résultats de simulation puis des résultats expérimentaux obtenus sur des plaques composites en CFRP équipées d'éléments piézoélectriques et contenant diverses sévérités de délaminage. Les dommages de type délaminage ont été générés au sein des échantillons de manière calibrée et réaliste à l'aide de la technique du choc LASER et plus particulièrement du choc LASER symétrique. Nous avons démontré expérimentalement que cette configuration de choc LASER est une alternative efficace aux méthodes classiques de génération de dommage telles que les impacts classiques et les patches de Téflon, permettant une meilleure calibration du dommage en type, profondeur et taille. / In this work, we approach delamination quantification in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates as a classification problem whereby each class corresponds to a certain damage extent. A Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used to perform multi-class classification task. Classically, Signal Based Features (SBF) are used to train SVMs when approaching SHM from a machine learning perspective. In this work, starting from the assumption that damage causes a structure to exhibit nonlinear response, we investigate whether the use of Nonlinear Model Based Features (NMBF) increases classification performance. NMBF are computed based on parallel Hammerstein models which are identified with an Exponential Sine Sweep (ESS) signal. Dimensionality reduction of features vector using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is also conducted in order to find out if it allows robustifying the quantification process suggested in this work. The proposed quantification approach was first tested and validated using simulation results. Thereafter, experimental results on CFRP composite plates equipped with piezoelectric elements and containing various delamination severities are considered for demonstration. Delamination-type damage is introduced into samples in a calibrated and realistic way using LASER Shock Wave Technique (LSWT) and more particularly symmetrical LASER shock configuration. We have experimentally demonstrated that such a configuration of LASER shock is an effective alternative to conventional damage generation techniques such as conventional impacts and Teflon inserts since it allows for a better calibration of damage in type, depth and size.

No description available.

<p>Developing a reliable in-situ non-destructive testing method to determine the strength of in-place concrete is critical because a fast-paced construction schedule exposes concrete pavement and/or structures undergoing substantial loading conditions, even at their early ages. Conventional destructive testing methods, such as compressive and flexural tests, are very time-consuming, which may cause construction delays or cost overruns. Moreover, the curing conditions of the tested cylindrical samples and the in-place concrete pavement/structures are quite different, which may result in different strength values. An NDT method that could directly correlate the mechanical properties of cementitious materials with the sensing results, regardless of the curing conditions, mix design, and size effect is needed for the in-situ application.</p><p>The piezoelectric sensor-based electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique has shown promise in addressing this challenge as it has been used to both monitor properties and detect damages on the concrete structure. Due to the direct and inverse effects of piezoelectric, this material can act as a sensor, actuator, and transducer. This research serves as a comprehensive study to investigate the feasibility and efficiency of using piezoelectric sensor-based EMI to evaluate the strength of newly poured concrete. To understand the fundamentals of this method and enhance the durability of the sensor for in-situ monitoring, this work started with sensor fabrication. It has studied two types of polymer coating on the effect of the durability of the sensor to make it practical to be used in the field.</p><p>The mortar and concrete samples with various mix designs were prepared to ascertain whether the results of the proposed sensing technique were affected by the different mixtures. The EMI measurement and compressive strength testing methods (ASTM C39, ASTM C109) were conducted in the laboratory. The experimental results of mortar samples with different water-to-cement ratios (W/C) and two types of cement (I and III) showed that the correlation coefficient (R²) is higher than 0.93 for all mixes. In the concrete experiments, the correlation coefficient between the EMI sensing index and compressive strength of all mixes is higher than 0.90. The empirical estimation function was established through a concrete slab experiment. Moreover, several trial implementations on highway construction projects (I-70, I-74, and I-465) were conducted to monitor the real-time strength development of concrete. The data processing method and the reliable index of EMI sensing were developed to establish the regression model to correlate the sensing results with the compressive strength of concrete. It has been found that the EMI sensing method and its related statistical index can effectively reflect the compressive strength gain of in-place concrete at different ages.</p><p>To further investigate the in-situ compressive strength of concrete for large-scale structures, we conducted a series of large concrete slabs with the dimension of 8 feet × 12 feet × 8 inches in depth was conducted at outdoor experiments field to simulate real-world conditions. Different types of compressive strength samples, including cast-in-place (CIP) cylinder (4” × 6”) – (ASTM C873), field molded cylinder (4” × 8”) – (ASTM C39), and core drilled sample (4” × 8”) – (ASTM C42) were prepared to compare the compressive strength of concrete. The environmental conditions, such as ambient temperatures and relative humidity, were also recorded. The in-situ EMI monitoring of concrete strength was also conducted. The testing ages in this study were started from 6 hours after the concrete cast was put in place to investigate the early age results and continued up to 365 days (one year) later for long-term monitoring. The results indicate that the strength of the CIP sample is higher than the 4” x 8” molded cylinder , and that core drilled concrete is weaker than the two aforementioned. The EMI results obtained from the slab are close to those obtained from CIP due to similar curing conditions. The EMI results collected from 4 × 8-inch cylinder samples are lower than slab and CIP, which aligns with the mechanical testing results and indicates that EMI could capture the strength gain of concrete over time.</p><p>The consequent database collected from the large slab tests was used to build a prediction model for concrete strength. The Artificial Neuron Network (ANN) was investigated and experimented with to optimize the prediction of performances. Then, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to discuss and understand the critical parameters to predict the mechanical properties of concrete using the ML model. A framework using Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) based on algorithms was then proposed to overcome real data usage restrictions. Two types of GAN algorithms were selected for the data synthesis in the research: Tabular Generative Adversarial Networks (TGAN) and Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Networks (CTGAN). The testing results suggested that the CTGAN-NN model shows improved testing performances and higher computational efficiency than the TGAN model. In conclusion, the AI-guided concrete strength sensing and prediction approaches developed in this dissertation will be a steppingstone towards accomplishing the reliable and intelligent assessment of in-situ concrete structures.</p><br>

No description available.

This study investigated the effect of sensor mass, sensor location, and delamination location of different composite structures under dynamic loading. The study pertains to research of the use of accelerometers and dynamic response as a cost-effective and reliable method of structural health monitoring in composite structures. The composite structures in this research included carbon fiber plates, carbon fiber-foam sandwich panels, and carbon-fiber honeycomb sandwich panels. The composite structures were manufactured with the use of a Tetrahedron MTP-8 heat press. All work was conducted in the Cal Poly Aerospace Structures/Composites Laboratory. Initial delaminations were placed at several locations along the specimen, including the bending mode node line locations. The free vibration of the composite structure was forced through a harmonic horizontal vibration test using an Unholtz-Dickie shake system. A sinusoidal sweep input was considered for the test. The dynamic response of the composite test specimens were measured using piezoelectric accelerometers. Measurements were taken along horizontal and vertical locations on the surfaces of the composite structures. Square inch grids were marked on the surfaces to create a meshed grid system. Accelerometer measurements were taken at the center of the grids. The VIP Sensors 1011A piezoelectric accelerometer was used to measure vibration response. The measurements were then compared to response measurements taken from a PCB Piezotronics 353B04 single access accelerometer to determine the effects of sensor mass. Deviations in bending mode natural frequency and differences in mode shape amplitude became the criteria for evaluating the effect of sensor mass, sensor location, and delamination location. Changes in damping of the time response were also studied. The experimental results were compared to numerical models created using a finite element method. The experimental results and numerical values were shown to be in good agreement. The sensor mass greatly affected the accuracy and precision of vibration response measurements in the composites structures. The smaller weight and area of the VIP accelerometer helped to minimize the decrease in accuracy and precision due to sensor mass. The effect of sensor location was found to be coupled with the effect of sensor mass and the bending mode shape. The sensor location did not affect the vibration response measurements when the sensor mass was minimized. Off-center horizontal sensor placement showed the possibility of measuring vibration torsion modes. The effect of delamination changed the bending mode shape of the composite structure, which corresponded to a change in natural frequency. The greatest effect of the delamination was seen at the bending mode node lines, where the bending mode shape was most significantly affected. The effect of delamination was also dependent on the location of the delamination and the composite structure type. The results of this study provided considerations for future research of an active structural health monitoring system of composite structures using dynamic response measurements. The considerations included sensor mass reduction, sensor placement at constraints and bond areas and the presence of damping material.

<p dir="ltr">In pursuit of enhanced fuel economy, the automotive industry is exploring the substitution of metal components with lightweight polymer composites. These components must withstand elevated static loading and crash performance, while ideally offering added functionalities and reduced weight. To tackle these challenges, this research presents an innovative manufacturing method aimed at reducing costs and cycle times associated with continuous fiber polymer composites. This method involves producing a linear thermoplastic composite rod known as M-TOW (Multi-tow), which can be molded into intricate shapes to serve as tailored structural reinforcement in hybrid-molded parts. The research encompasses the processing of M-TOW, with a focus on predicting consolidation using Darcy’s law, integrating functional components for thermal and electrical conductivity using overbraided metallic wire or sensing using optical fibers, and its application in real-world scenarios. These advancements showcase the versatility and potential of M-TOW in high-rate continuous fiber manufacturing, paving the way for multifunctional hybrid molded structures.<br><br></p>

No description available.

O presente trabalho correlacionou diversas funções de respostas em frequência (FRF) de juntas do tipo simples, coladas e fabricadas em titânio-compósito (resina epóxi reforçada por fibra de carbono). As FRFs produzidas foram investigadas (experimental e numericamente) tanto para juntas intactas como para juntas com falha, estas provenientes, por exemplo, do uso em serviço ou então, com resultado do processamento inadequado de um reparo. Com base nessas análises buscou-se, portanto, subsidiar o desenvolvimento de um sistema de monitoramento estrutural a partir da avaliação de seu comportamento dinâmico, medido pelo uso de pastilhas piezelétricas integradas à estrutura. Para que o respectivo objetivo fosse alcançado. Num primeiro momento, a fim de compreender os fenômenos envolvidos, conduziu-se a atividade de revisão bibliográfica, que baseada na consulta dos trabalhos mais recentes publicados sobre a análise de juntas coladas empregando abordagem numérica, analítica e/ou experimental. Em seguida, foram desenvolvidos modelos computacionais preliminares com solução via Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), a fim de se obter as diretrizes mínimas para uma proposta de fabricação das juntas híbridas (metal-compósito). Tal estratégia permitiu reduzir efeitos indesejados, que pudessem comprometer os resultados experimentais. Em posse dos resultados computacionais fabricou-se amostras de juntas metal-compósito com e sem dano. Num primeiro momento, foram realizadas análises numéricas através do desenvolvimento de modelos computacionais (com solução via MEF) das juntas, metal-compósito, monitoradas por transdutores piezelétricos. Em seguida, as juntas híbridas foram submetidas a ensaios experimentais dinâmicos, empregando técnicas de monitoramento com auxílio de transdutores piezelétricos e acelerômetros. Por fim, avaliaram-se potencialidades e limitações dos modelos computacionais desenvolvidos, através de estudos de caso, comparando os resultados experimentais com os resultados numéricos. / The herein proposed research has correlates Frequency Response Functions (FRF) of several hybrid titanium-composite (epoxy resin reinforced with carbon fiber) single lap bonded joints. The FRFs were investigated (numerically and experimentally) for joints with and without failures which may arise as the result of in service events or bad maintenance practices. The result of the dynamic analyses provided by the FRFs has substantiated the proposal of a damage detection method using piezoelectric elements capable which are capable to detect minor alterations on the dynamic behavior of the joint. In order to reach the proposed objective, the first action towards the given objective was study the problem through a bibliographic revision of the research subject, for this purpose the most recent published works related to numerical, analytical and experimental analyses of bonded joints were thoroughly evaluated and segregated. Afterwards, models of the joints were proposed using Finite Element Models (FEM) to obtain a preliminary result of the joints behavior to eventually substantiate the manufacturing processes, reducing the amount of material, time and cost of the experiments. Based upon the results of the FEM the coupons were manufactured with and without damages, using the methods and techniques available on the maintenance field for restoration of composite elements. Before proceed to the comparison between the modeled and experimental results, additional models were proposed using previous work\'s results to get results from the piezoelectric monitored joints. Afterwards, all experimental tests were conducted using accelerometers and piezoelectric elements to provide the means through it the advantages and drawbacks of the proposed monitoring method could be checked, by comparison between the experimental and modeled results.

[pt] O aumento dos custos relacionados aos processos de manutenção em estruturas como aeronaves, aliadas à crescente demanda das mesmas, alimentam a necessidade de investimentos em técnicas inovadoras de monitoramento estrutural. Dessa forma, o trabalho realizado nesta tese, busca o desenvolvimento de uma técnica de monitoramento ativo, visando o acompanhamento de parâmetros da estrutura analisada, a fim de identificar e caracterizar processos de dano não visíveis, tais como corrosão e delaminação. A metodologia empregada, teve como base a análise dos padrões de deformação superficial, obtidos com o uso de grades de sensores à fibra óptica baseadas em redes de Bragg (FBG). Inicialmente, tais padrões foram provocados por carregamentos estáticos (tração), e posteriormente por atuadores PTZ fixados à estrutura. Estes últimos são submetidos a uma voltagem alternada e frequência fixa. Esta técnica apresenta todas as vantagens dos sensores FBG (massa e dimensões reduzidas, imunidade eletromagnética, elevado poder de multiplexação e alta sensibilidade entre outras), alem de permitir a visualização de alterações nos padrões de deformação, provocados por danos, através da variação da frequência de excitação. Com relação à interpretação dos resultados, a estratégia empregada consistiu em separar o problema de detecção e caracterização dos danos. Dessa forma, a detecção é realizada comparando a energia das deformações superficiais dos corpos de prova nos casos com e sem defeito, enquanto a caracterização é obtida através a utilização de redes neurais artificiais (RNA), por meio de rotinas de reconhecimento de padrões. / [en] The higher costs related to maintenance processes in structures such as aircraft, coupled with the growing demand of them, fueling the need for investment in innovative techniques for structural monitoring. Thus, the work done in this thesis seeks to develop a technique of active monitoring, aiming at monitoring of structure parameters analyzed in order to identify and characterize processes of hidden damage such as corrosion and delamination. The maid methodology was based on the analysis of patterns of surface deformation, obtained with the use of nets of optical fiber sensors based on fiber Bragg gratings ( FBG ). Initially, these patterns were caused by static loads (tension ), and later by PTZ actuators fixed to the frame, who are subjected to an AC voltage and fixed frequency. This technique has all the advantages of the FBG s sensors (mass and small dimensions, electromagnetic immunity, high multiplexing s power and high sensitivity among others), in addition to allowing visualization of changes in the patterns of deformation caused by damage, by varying the frequency excitation. With respect to the interpretation of the results, the strategy employed was to separate the problem of detection and characterization of damage. Thus, the detection is performed by comparing the deformation energy of the surface of the specimens in the cases with and without defect, whereas the characterization is obtained through the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) by means of pattern recognition routines.

La corrosion des armatures de renforcement des structures en béton représente un enjeu socio-économique majeur. Sa détection et le suivi de son évolution constituent un défi pour la recherche appliquée. Les techniques standards non destructives de détection de corrosion mettent en œuvre des procédés indirects tels la mesure d’impédance, de potentiels, ou par ultrasons. Leurs capacités d’auscultation sont limitées dans l’espace (notamment en profondeur), leur coût reste élevé dans un contexte de maintenance périodique et elles conduisent à des paramètres d’interprétation complexe. Des progrès sont nécessaires dans la détection et l’analyse fiable de la progression des processus de corrosion. Dans ce travail, nous présentons une nouvelle méthode pour détecter la corrosion et le suivi de son évolution, basée sur l’observation directe des changements intervenant à l’interface fer-béton par Capteur à Fibre Optique (CFO). L'attaque par corrosion de la surface de l'armature dépend de plusieurs paramètres électrochimiques (température, pH, carbonatation, présence de chlorures, contamination biologique, etc.). Deux comportements mécaniques à l'interface fer-béton sont distingués. Dans le premier cas (carbonatation), le produit d'oxydation du métal reste à l'interface et augmente la pression interne, pouvant conduire à la fissuration de la couche de béton extérieure. Dans le second cas (piqures), les ions métalliques sont évacués hors de la structure avec comme conséquence une réduction de section des barres d'armature (affaiblissement du renforcement). Un CFO innovant est proposé dans le but de localiser et quantifier les deux types de corrosion précités. Le principe consiste à observer l’impact direct de la corrosion sur l’état de déformation d’une fibre optique préalablement précontrainte par construction. Deux procédés métrologiques sont étudiés : Bragg et réflectométrie fréquentielle (Optical Frequency-Domain Reflectometry - OFDR). Des tests de corrosion accélérée montrent la faisabilité du procédé. Une procédure de fabrication simplifiée et à coût optimisé est proposée pour la surveillance in situ et répartie des structures de génie civil, dans une perspective future de maintenance conditionnée. / Corrosion of reinforced bars (rebars) in concrete structures remains a major issue in civil engineering works, being its detection and evolution a challenge for the applied research. Usual non-destructive corrosion detection methods involve impedance, potential or ultra-sonic indirect measurements of complex interpretation. Besides, they are restricted to near-surface examinations and the maintenance cost is still high (scheduled maintenance). Many efforts remain to be done to survey the onset and progression of corrosion processes in a reliable way. In this work, we present a new methodology to detect the onset of corrosion and to monitor its evolution, based on the direct observation of rebar–concrete interface changes by the use of an Optical Fiber Sensor (OFS). The corrosion attack over rebar surface depends on several physical, chemical and electrochemical parameters (temperature, pH, presence of chlorides/CO2, biological contamination, etc.). Two types of mechanical behavior and described. In the first case (carbonation), metal oxidation products stay at the interface and increase internal pressure, potentially leading to a crack of the external concrete layer. In the second case (pitting), metal ions are evacuated out of the structure, leading to a reduction of the rebar section (structural weakness). An innovative sensor design is proposed with the purpose of localizing and quantifying the amount of both corrosion types. The basic principle consists in measuring the impact of corrosion over the state of strain of a prestressed optical fiber. Two metrological techniques are used: Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) and Optical Frequency-Domain Reflectometry (OFDR). Accelerated corrosion tests were performed in electrolytic solutions for both kinds of corrosion types (pitting and carbonation) and provide a proof-of-concept for the technique. A low-cost, simplified manufacturing procedure is proposed with the aim to provide distributed and in situ Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), suitable for future Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) of civil engineering concrete structures.