Virtual delta-t mapping technique using a local interaction simulation approach for location of Acoustic Emission damage events for aerospace applications

Acoustic Emission (AE) is a promising technique for Structural Health Monitoring applications (SHM) and involves detecting the ultrasonic stress waves generated by damage initiation growth in a structure. One advantage of AE for SHM is the ability to locate AE sources. Delta-t mapping was developed to overcome the limitations of the conventional AE location technique. The disadvantage of the delta-t mapping is that it requires the manual collection of experimental training data. This paper explores the possibility of using local interaction simulation approach (LISA) to generate simulated training data for the algorithm. The results for locating a fatigue crack are presented for both the experimental and simulated training data and showed average errors in source location of 3mm and 8mm respectively. This demonstrates the potential of using simulated training data for the mapping technique which would ultimately reduce implementation of delta-t mapping on large scale structures