Structural Health Monitoring

Catalog description

Technology development to address maintenance and safey concerns related to the aging aerospace/mechanical/civil infrastructure. E MCH 541 Structural Health Monitoring (3) Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is the monitoring of the condition of a structure or system using autonomous sensory systems and any intervention to preserve structural integrity. It is nondestructive evaluation with a sensory system that stays in place and enables condition-based maintenance. SHM is a broad multidisciplinary field both in terms of the diverse science and technology involved as well as in its varied applications. However, at its essence are three fundamental elements: sensing, data analysis, and decision making. The technological developments necessary to enable practical structural health monitoring are originating from scientists and engineers in many fields including physics, chemistry, materials science, biology, and mechanical, aerospace, civil, and electrical engineering. SHM is being implemented on diverse systems and structures such as aircraft, spacecraft, ships, helicopters, automobiles, bridges, buildings, civil infrastructure, power generating plants, pipelines, electronic systems, manufacturing and processing facilities, biological systems, and employed for the protection of the environment and for defense. The objectives of SHM are to: improve public safety, reduce maintenance costs, improve readiness, and foster a paradigm shift in design.