Multiway Partial Least Square (MPLS) to estimate impact localization in structures

This paper presents results from the application of Multiway Partial Least Square (MPLS) as a regressor tool in order to estimate the localization of impacts in an aircraft structure. MPLS is a technique that maximizes the covariance between the predictor matrix X and the predicted matrix Y for each component of the space. The structure can be considered as a small scale version of part of a wing aircraft. 574 experiments were performed impacting the wing over its surface and receiving vibration signals from nine sensors. Experiments are divided in four groups depending on their localization and probability of occurrence. A PLS model is build using three of these groups and tested using the remaining group. Results are presented, discussed and compared with results of other methods.