In-situ process- and online structural health-monitoring of composites using embedded acoustic waveguide sensors

This article reports the development of a novel embedded acoustic waveguide sensor concept for monitoring the curing process and online health of composite structures. A sleevedwaveguide embedded in the composite is proposed to confine guidedwaves in one dimension, with leakage to the surroundingmedia only through specially created openings, thus enhancing the capability to inspect large structures. Themethod isfirst developed using a rectangular copper strip embedded in an epoxy plate structure having an artificial delamination-type defect. Finite element simulations are used to gain insights on parameters and limitations. The approach is also demonstrated on amore practical bi-layer composite plate with an artificial delamination and an embeddedwirewaveguide sensor.