The development of structural monitoring systems is a critical research area because of the age and sustainment costs associated with many aircraft in use today. Specifically, integrated structural health monitoring (SHM) systems are advantageous because they allow for automated, near real-time assessment of the state of the structure, where the automation improves both the accuracy of the measurements and allows for more frequent system interrogation than possible with traditional nondestructive evaluation methods. Ultrasonic techniques are particularly well-suited for SHM systems because of their potential to detect and track damage well before structural failure using in situ sensors. The research problem considered in this thesis is detection and tracking of fatigue cracks emanating from fastener holes in metallic structural components. The sensing method utilizes attached ultrasonic transducers, and tracking of damage is achieved by employing a state estimation framework that incorporates a well-known empirical model for crack growth and a measurement model relating the ultrasonic response to crack size. The state estimation process is preceded by an automated crack detection algorithm, and can be followed by a prediction of remaining life assuming future usage. The state estimation framework provides a better estimate of crack size than either the ultrasonic measurement model or crack growth model alone. Although the example application is monitoring of fastener holes, the general approach is applicable to a variety of SHM problems.

Two failure mechanisms in a double lap joint are investigated. Analytical models of net-section and gross-section failure modes are proposed to describe these mechanisms. The effects of lamping force, interference fit, maximum axial load and WDCP on fatigue performance of the joint are included in the models. The effect of WDCP is assumed to give a reduction in friction coefficient. Three types of stress reduction factors are proposed in the net-section failure model to account for these parameters. The stress reduction factors modify stress range that is used in crack growth calculation. If there are no effects of these parameters, the stress reduction factors are equal to one. Two types of fretting stress are introduced in gross-section failure model to describe either sliding contact or incipient sliding contact on faying surface. The fretting stress is combined with body stress to modify stress range. The net-section failure model predicts that fatigue life is increasing as interference fit, clamping force and friction coefficient increase. The gross-section failure model predicts that fatigue life is decreasing as clamping force and friction coefficient increase. Both models predict that fatigue life is decreasing as maximum axial load increases. Transition of the failure mode occurs earlier as friction coefficient and interference fit increase, while it is delayed as maximum axial load increases. A transition parameter is proposed to establish a relationship between the four main parameters. The transition parameter is expressed in a polynomial equation. It gives an optimum combination of the four main parameters in order to achieve relatively higher fatigue life by having gross-section failure mode. Finite element analysis and fatigue testing are performed to validate the models. The finite element and the analytical models show that stress concentration factor at the edge of the hole is decreasing as clamping force increases. The rate of decrease of stress concentration factor is increasing as friction coefficient increases. While stress concentration factor on the faying surface is increasing as clamping force and friction coefficient increase. Fatigue testing reveals that the fatigue life of the joint is in good agreement with the predicted fatigue life of the proposed models.