Assessment of Sensor Technologies for Aircraft SHM Systems

Abstract

SHM is a monitoring system which uses sensors, actuators and data transmission, acquisition and analysis, permanently integrated with the inspected object. The objective of SHM is to detect, localize, identify and predict development of fatigue fractures, increasing safety and reliability. This paper presents an assessment of sensor technologies used in aircraft SHM system. Due to the fact that most of these measurement methods are relatively new and still under development the present appraisal focuses on a number of parameters with reference to each method, including a sensor’s installation issues, reliability, power consumption, sensor infrastructure, sensitivity and cost and availability. The work is predominantly focused on the assessment ofpermanently bonded sensors, such as foil strain gages, Comparative Vacuum Monitoring (CVM), Piezo sensors (PZT), Eddy-Current Transducers (ECT). Finally, all these methods are briefly discussed.