Bolted joints are integral parts of mechanical systems, and bolt preload loss is one of the major failure modes for bolted joint structures. Understanding the damping and frequency response to a varying preload in a single-bolted lap-joint structure can be very helpful in predicting and analyzing more complicated structures connected by these joints. In this thesis, the relationship between the bolt preload and the natural frequency, and the relationship between the bolt preload and the structural damping, have both been investigated through impact hammer testing on a single-bolted lap-joint structure. The test data revealed that the bolt preload has nonlinear effects on the structural damping and on the natural frequency of the structure. The damping ratios of the test structure were determined to increase with decreasing preload. An increase in structural damping is beneficial in most engineering circumstances, for it will reduce the vibrational response and noise subjected to external excitations. It was also observed that the modal frequency increased with increasing preload, but remained approximately constant for preload larger than 30% in the bolt yield strength. One application for studying the preload effect is the detection for loose bolts in structures. The possibility of using impact testing for estimating preload loss has been confirmed, and the modal damping was determined to be a more sensitive indicator than the natural frequency in a single-bolted lap-joint structure.

Monitoring the mechanical integrity of critical structures is extremely important, as mechanical defects can potentially have adverse impacts on their safe operability throughout their service life. Structural defects can be detected by using active structural health monitoring (SHM) approaches, in which a given structure is excited with harmonic mechanical waves generated by actuators. The response of the structure is then collected using sensor(s) and is analyzed for possible defects, with various active SHM approaches available for analyzing the response of a structure to single- or multi-frequency harmonic excitations. In order to identify the appropriate excitation frequency, however, the majority of such methods require a priori knowledge of the characteristics of the defects under consideration. This makes the whole enterprise of detecting structural defects logically circular, as there is usually limited a priori information about the characteristics and the locations of defects that are yet to be detected. Furthermore, the majority of SHM techniques rely on sensors for response collection, with the very same sensors also prone to structural damage. The Surface Response to Excitation (SuRE) method is a broadband frequency method that has high sensitivity to different types of defects, but it requires a baseline. In this study, initially, theoretical justification was provided for the validity of the SuRE method and it was implemented for detection of internal and external defects in pipes. Then, the Comprehensive Heterodyne Effect Based Inspection (CHEBI) method was developed based on the SuRE method to eliminate the need for any baseline. Unlike traditional approaches, the CHEBI method requires no a priori knowledge of defect characteristics for the selection of the excitation frequency. In addition, the proposed heterodyne effect-based approach constitutes the very first sensor-less smart monitoring technique, in which the emergence of mechanical defect(s) triggers an audible alarm in the structure with the defect. Finally, a novel compact phased array (CPA) method was developed for locating defects using only three transducers. The CPA approach provides an image of most probable defected areas in the structure in three steps. The techniques developed in this study were used to detect and/or locate different types of mechanical damages in structures with various geometries.

With the emergence of Industry 4.0, there is a pronounced emphasis on the necessity for enhanced flexibility in assembly processes. In the domain of bolt-tightening, this transition is evident. Tools are now required to navigate a variety of bolts and unpredictable tightening methodologies. Each bolt, possessing distinct tightening parameters, necessitates a specific sequence to prevent issues like bolt cross-talk or unbalanced force. This thesis introduces an approach that integrates advanced computing techniques with machine learning to address these challenges in the tightening areas. The primary objective is to offer edge computation for bolt detection and tightening tools' precise localization. It is realized by leveraging visual-inertial data, all encapsulated within a System-on-Chip (SoC) Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The chosen approach combines visual information and motion detection, enabling tools to quickly and precisely do the localization of the tool. All the computing is done inside the SoC FPGA. The key element for identifying different bolts is the YOLOv3-Tiny-3L model, run using the Deep-learning Processor Unit (DPU) that is implemented in the FPGA. In parallel, the thesis employs the Error-State Extended Kalman Filter (ESEKF) algorithm to fuse the visual and motion data effectively. The ESEKF is accelerated via a full implementation in Register Transfer Level (RTL) in the FPGA fabric. We examined the empirical outcomes and found that the visual-inertial localization exhibited a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) position of 39.69 mm and a standard deviation of 9.9 mm. The precision in orientation determination yields a mean error of 4.8 degrees, offset by a standard deviation of 5.39 degrees. Notably, the entire computational process, from the initial bolt detection to its final localization, is executed in 113.1 milliseconds. This thesis articulates the feasibility of executing bolt detection and visual-inertial localization using edge computing within the SoC FPGA framework. The computation trajectory is significantly streamlined by harnessing the adaptability of programmable logic within the FPGA. This evolution signifies a step towards realizing a more adaptable and error-resistant bolt-tightening procedure in industrial areas. / Med framväxten av Industry 4.0, finns det en uttalad betoning på nödvändigheten av ökad flexibilitet i monteringsprocesser. Inom området bultåtdragning är denna övergång tydlig. Verktyg krävs nu för att navigera i en mängd olika bultar och oförutsägbara åtdragningsmetoder. Varje bult, som har distinkta åtdragningsparametrar, kräver en specifik sekvens för att förhindra problem som bultöverhörning eller obalanserad kraft. Detta examensarbete introducerar ett tillvägagångssätt som integrerar avancerade datortekniker med maskininlärning för att hantera dessa utmaningar i skärpningsområdena. Det primära målet är att erbjuda kantberäkning för bultdetektering och åtdragningsverktygs exakta lokalisering. Det realiseras genom att utnyttja visuella tröghetsdata, allt inkapslat i en System-on-Chip (SoC) Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Det valda tillvägagångssättet kombinerar visuell information och rörelsedetektering, vilket gör det möjligt för verktyg att snabbt och exakt lokalisera verktyget. All beräkning sker inuti SoC FPGA. Nyckelelementet för att identifiera olika bultar är YOLOv3-Tiny-3L-modellen, som körs med hjälp av Deep-learning Processor Unit (DPU) som är implementerad i FPGA. Parallellt använder avhandlingen algoritmen Error-State Extended Kalman Filter (ESEKF) för att effektivt sammansmälta visuella data och rörelsedata. ESEKF accelereras via en fullständig implementering i Register Transfer Level (RTL) i FPGA-strukturen. Vi undersökte de empiriska resultaten och fann att den visuella tröghetslokaliseringen uppvisade en Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) position på 39,69 mm och en standardavvikelse på 9,9 mm. Precisionen i orienteringsbestämningen ger ett medelfel på 4,8 grader, kompenserat av en standardavvikelse på 5,39 grader. Noterbart är att hela beräkningsprocessen, från den första bultdetekteringen till dess slutliga lokalisering, exekveras på 113,1 millisekunder. Denna avhandling artikulerar möjligheten att utföra bultdetektering och visuell tröghetslokalisering med hjälp av kantberäkning inom SoC FPGA-ramverket. Beräkningsbanan är avsevärt effektiviserad genom att utnyttja anpassningsförmågan hos programmerbar logik inom FPGA. Denna utveckling innebär ett steg mot att förverkliga en mer anpassningsbar och felbeständig skruvdragningsprocedur i industriområden.