Article
Chemistry, Physical
Salim Chaki, Patricia Krawczak
Summary: This article provides a critical overview of the use and applicability of non-destructive testing techniques for the detection and characterization of damage in polymer composite materials. It discusses current trends in structural health monitoring and explores how composite SHM could evolve in the digital era, leveraging artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and big data to implement digital twins.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiannan Zhang, Younho Cho, Jeongnam Kim, Azamatjon Kakhramon Ugli Malikov, Young H. Kim, Jin-Hak Yi, Weibin Li
Summary: Coatings play a crucial role in preventing corrosion on ships or marine structures, with thickness impacting their effectiveness. Ultrasonic NDT is a convenient method for measuring underwater coating thickness, but the high energy attenuation and absorption rates in offshore coatings present challenges. Despite these difficulties, accurately measuring the thickness using ultrasonic methods has proven effective and versatile for various objects in water environments.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seyed Saman Khedmatgozar Dolati, Nerma Caluk, Armin Mehrabi, Seyed Sasan Khedmatgozar Dolati
Summary: With the increasing population and demand for surface transportation, the importance of maintaining safe and reliable civil infrastructures, especially bridges, has become more critical. Periodic inspections are necessary to prevent failures caused by aging and environmental impacts, with a need for more advanced structural health monitoring methods. This review focuses on non-destructive testing methods applicable to steel bridges, with an emphasis on local damage detection and the application of innovative sensors, drones, and robots for efficient assessments.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wasim Abbass, Fahid Aslam, Muneeb Ahmed, Ali Ahmed, Rayed Alyousef, Abdullah Mohamed
Summary: The sewer pipeline network and water distribution system are vital urban assets for a sustainable community. Continuous evaluation of the condition of water and sewer concrete pipelines is essential to ensure reliable and cost-efficient transport of water and sewerage. Currently, the assessment is done through visual observations and non-destructive testing methods, but there is a need to shift to advanced assessment techniques.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Valerio Gagliardi, Fabio Tosti, Luca Bianchini Ciampoli, Maria Libera Battagliere, Luigi D'Amato, Amir M. Alani, Andrea Benedetto
Summary: High-temporal-frequency monitoring of transport infrastructure is crucial to prevent major service disruption or structural failures. Ground-based NDT methods have high data quality and accuracy standards but require routine campaigns and long inspection times. Satellite remote sensing techniques, such as MT-InSAR, can monitor ground displacements with higher temporal frequency and wider coverage, but the integration of satellite and ground-based information in civil engineering is still an area that needs exploration. This paper reviews significant applications in transport infrastructure monitoring and discusses the challenges and future perspectives of their mutual integration.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Przemyslaw Sobkiewicz, Pawel Bienkowski, Wojciech Blazejewski
Summary: Microwave imaging and defectoscopy are promising techniques for dielectric composite evaluation, with relatively high penetration depth and low impact on samples and surrounding environment. The research focuses on non-destructive and noninvasive methods for quality evaluation of layered composite materials using an open-ended waveguide probe.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lisa Ptacek, Alfred Strauss, Clemence Bos, Martin Peyerl, Roberto Torrent
Summary: This article presents the effect of different curing methods on gas permeability in concrete. The study shows that inadequate curing leads to increased permeability in the near-surface area. The influences of concrete composition and environmental factors on concrete quality are also observed.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maciej Wardach, Janusz R. Krentowski, Piotr Knyziak
Summary: Assessment of the technical condition of large-panel buildings, especially after thermomodernization works, is difficult due to uncertainty in non-destructive tests and limited use of destructive tests. Access to vulnerable joints connecting precast elements is challenging. However, demolition of such buildings presents a unique opportunity for comprehensive testing and comparison of results obtained through different methods. This allows for scaling of non-destructive testing methods and identification of typical relationships. Therefore, large-scale demolition sampling is of great importance for evaluating the technical condition of prefabricated buildings.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Patryk Kot, Magomed Muradov, Michaela Gkantou, George S. Kamaris, Khalid Hashim, David Yeboah
Summary: The study primarily focuses on the scope and recent advancements of Non-destructive Testing (NDT) application for SHM of concrete, masonry, timber, and steel structures. Researchers are addressing challenges such as data interpretation, analysis, and automation by applying artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. Additionally, combining multiple techniques is being explored to enhance accuracy and obtain additional parameters for measurement processes.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Karol Semrad, Katarina Draganova
Summary: This article discusses the sustainability and environmental friendliness of pipe belt conveyors, and introduces the use of microwires as sensing elements for mechanical load diagnostics. The study finds that the thickness of the glass coating significantly affects the lifetime of the microwires, while the length of the microwires has negligible influence on the number of bending cycles until damage occurs.
Review
Engineering, Marine
Bosen Lin, Xinghui Dong
Summary: This paper reviews the background knowledge of hull inspection and categorizes different inspection approaches. In addition to manual inspection methods, the study also investigates automatic data processing methods and automated platforms. This research is important for researchers and industry professionals to gain an overall understanding of hull inspection and identify potential directions for future development.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michel Darmon, Gwenael Toullelan, Vincent Dorval
Summary: This paper proposes a method for designing embedded crack detection and characterization using ultrasonic simulation and compares different 3D models through experimental and theoretical analysis. The results demonstrate the significant improvement of the 3D hybrid code in detecting small flaws and shear waves compared to traditional models.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Fan Yang, Dehui Wu, Hao Feng
Summary: A novel non-destructive testing (NDT) method for detecting defects in carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) at low frequencies is proposed. This method uses eddy current loss to characterize the thermal power of the eddy current in CFRP and a new probe to detect the eddy current loss and inspect CFRP. Experimental results demonstrate that the developed method can provide appropriate detection results and successfully detect fiber direction up to a frequency of 750 kHz.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Osama Ahmed, Xin Wang, Manh-Vu Tran, Mohd-Zulhilmi Ismadi
Summary: The application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites is increasing due to their superior mechanical properties and weight advantage. Advanced damage characterization systems are needed to prevent complex types of damage. Various non-destructive testing and in-situ structural health monitoring techniques have been developed for damage detection in FRP composites.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Tommaso Maria Brugo, Emanuele Maccaferri, Davide Cocchi, Laura Mazzocchetti, Loris Giorgini, Davide Fabiani, Andrea Zucchelli
Summary: The integration of a nanostructured piezoelectric sensor with a composite laminate has been achieved to enable self-sensing capability for impact detection across the entire surface. This self-sensing laminate was tested for linearity and spatial uniformity using an instrumented drop-weight tower.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Salvatore Boccardi, Gian Piero Malfense Fierro, Michele Meo
Summary: Structural health monitoring is crucial for assessing defects in material components. A sparse array of surface-bonded ultrasonic transducers can accurately locate and image damage, improving imaging accuracy and damage localization.
STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Marco Boccaccio, Pasquale Rachiglia, Gian Piero Malfense Fierro, Giovanni Pio Pucillo, Michele Meo
Summary: This study presents a design of a holey-structured metamaterial lens to improve acousto-ultrasonic imaging using air-coupled transducers, leading to enhanced sensitivity and resolution in damage imaging.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Frank Mevissen, Michele Meo
Summary: Nonlinear ultrasound crack detection methods, utilizing multi-frequency wave excitation and a new concept of nonlinearity parameter grouping, have been developed to better identify early damages in materials without calculating dispersion curves. Experimental validation on metal plates and turbine blades has shown that the use of multi-frequency excitation offers advantages in detecting cracks.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Francesco Flora, Fulvio Pinto, Michele Meo
Summary: This study focuses on the design of a new high-performance carbon FRP core for sandwich structures. The innovative core, manufactured using corrugated laminates, demonstrates enhanced energy absorption and compressive properties. Experimental evaluation shows significant improvements in specific properties compared to traditional aluminum honeycomb cores.
JOURNAL OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mario Rapisarda, Frank Marken, Michele Meo
Summary: An optimized gel derived from graphene oxide and starch acts as a hybrid binder for supercapacitors, delivering good rate performance and stability over 17,000 cycles.
COMMUNICATIONS CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Francesco Flora, Francesco Rizzo, Fulvio Pinto, Michele Meo
Summary: The mechanical properties of composite laminates are directly affected by the level of porosity, highlighting the importance of adequate air debulking during manufacturing. The use of ultrasonic waves can enhance this step, leading to reductions in manufacturing time and improvements in interlaminar shear strength. A proposed model analytically describes the influence of ultrasonic stimulation on air flux and provides guidelines for optimizing process parameters. Experimental tests validate the efficiency of the ultrasonic consolidation (UC) process, showing significant reductions in voids and improvements in mechanical properties.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Frank Mevissen, Michele Meo
Summary: In this work, an ultrasonic stimulated thermographic test system was developed to efficiently detect cracks in turbine blades. The system utilizes ultrasound excitation and thermal imaging to capture frictional heat generated at crack sites. A method was developed to understand crack topology and predict preloads in the crack based on measured temperature increase. Numerical analysis optimized the frequency of excitation and studied the physics of crack configuration, local crack velocity, and temperature increase.
INFRARED PHYSICS & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Stefano Cuomo, Tim Baetzel, Niels Modler, Andreas Hornig, Michele Meo
Summary: Nowadays, components made of unidirectional composite materials are widely used in various engineering fields. However, the low out-of-plane properties of these materials make them susceptible to impulsive loads, such as impact events. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously assess the condition of structures and determine if damage has occurred. This study proposes a baseline-free methodology for determining the coordinates of high-velocity impacts on complex structures and evaluates the occurrence of damage during the impact. Experimental tests on carbon fibre reinforced polymers with embedded sensors demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method in accurately estimating impact localization and evaluating structural integrity.
SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mario Rapisarda, Michele Meo
Summary: Graphene-based aerogels with chemical modifications show promising properties for automotive and aerospace industries, including high elastic resilience, low thermal conductivity, and high sound absorption.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Frank Mevissen, Michele Meo
Summary: Creep damage is a main failure mode in gas turbines, resulting from high temperatures and mechanical loads. This study aims to clarify the creep behavior of Hastelloy X material and detect and evaluate creep damage with nonlinear ultrasonic modulation technique. The results show that pores and microcracks in grain boundaries spread from the outside to the inside, and molybdenum is identified as the main precipitation element. Harmonic frequencies offer a good prediction of pore sizes, while sideband frequencies react sensitively to damage density and area distribution. This study provides a method for early detection of creep damage and differentiation of different types of damage.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Stefano Cuomo, Marco Boccaccio, Michele Meo
Summary: This study proposes a novel baseline-free method for real-time structural damage diagnosis during low-and high-velocity impact by decomposing the propagating modes caused by impact events. The high-frequency and medium-low frequency components are separated using Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) to obtain amplitude and phase of two propagation modes. The Energy Ratio Xi, defined as the ratio between maximum instant energy of the extensional mode and flexural mode, is proposed as an indicator of damage probability. Experimental results on aluminium and CFRP samples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in discerning elastic and damaging impacts.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Frank Mevissen, Michele Meo
Summary: Industrial gas turbines are used to generate electricity or drive other turbomachinery, aiming to increase machine efficiency by raising the compressor's pressure ratio and the turbine's inlet temperature. As a result, the hot gas components in gas turbines face extreme loads, requiring the use of non-destructive testing and structural health monitoring techniques to ensure their integrity.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Marco Boccaccio, Gian Piero Malfense Fierro, Fabrizo Bucciarelli, Michele Meo
Summary: The proposed concept of acousto-ultrasound metamaterial-based structures aims to achieve high multi-tonal sound absorption and improve the performance of air-coupled nonlinear acoustic/ultrasound imaging. Experimental results show that these structures can achieve high absorption peaks at the fundamental frequency and odd harmonics, while amplifying the sound of even harmonics. The correlation between predicted model and experimental results indicates the promising potential of sub-wavelength metamaterials for controlling sound absorption and enhancing the accuracy of nonlinear ultrasound imaging applications.
ENGINEERING RESEARCH EXPRESS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mario Rapisarda, Michele Meo
Summary: This study presents the chemical modification approaches of graphene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol aerogels to achieve mechanically balanced and robust cellular structures. The modified aerogels exhibit high elastic resilience, low thermal conductivity, and high sound absorption while maintaining low density. Chemical reduced aerogels also demonstrate piezoresistive behavior with minimal impact on other properties.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)