Damage assessment in complex structures using acoustic emission

This thesis investigates the behaviour and failure of simple and complex structures using the structural health monitoring system (SHM). The work focuses on Acoustic Emission (AE) to detect, characterise and locate damage within metallic and composites structures under a fatigue loading regime. The work was divided into two main areas of research: 1. Damage Characterisation Damage detection utilising AE was conducted through an extensive experimental programme in large-scale carbon fibre composite structures. Different assessment techniques were used to assess different damage mechanisms within the structure under fatigue failure. The source mechanisms characterisation in a large scale fatigue specimen was performed using a novel parameter correction technique (PCT). This is a significant advance, offering (in large scale structures) more reliable source characterisation. 2. Damage Localisation Experimental investigations were undertaken to assess the novel AE location technique proposed in this work in a variety of structures. The new technique, known as Automatic Delta T mapping technique (Automatic DTM), provides an accurate, easy to use, fast and reliable damage localisation technique