Multifunctional materials for SHM diagnosis and structural performance assessment

Abstract

This report will evaluate the structural health monitoring (SHM) methodology developed in the framework of FIBREGY to obtain the damage state of the fibre-based structural elements used in offshore platforms.

The non-destructive vibration-based methodology deals with the variations of the key performance indicators (KPIs, e.g. overall vibration energy, damping, etc.) which are influenced by the presence of damage in the FRP materials.

To assess the damage state of the multifunctional materials, a set of sensors and/or optical fibers will be interleaved in the interlaminar regions of the FRP-based materials used in the marine structures.

Initially, the main scope of this report is to explore the selection of the most suitable sensors to manufacture the multifunctional materials. Subsequently, the mechanical performance of the multifunctional materials will be analyzed with the paramount purpose to evaluate the possible weakness of the material induced by the embedding of the sensor. Last, it will be considered the testing of different specimens of multifunctional materials and the preparation of the best strategy for the validation of the monitoring system in a real-case through one of the WP6 demonstrators (FRP-based towers).

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