Delamination identification of cross-ply graphite/epoxy composite beams using electric resistance change method

Detection of delaminations is a difficult task for visual inspections. Difficulty of detection underlines the importance of development of smart structures for monitoring delaminations of graphite/epoxy laminated composites. This study employs an electric resistance change method for identification of delamination location and size; applicability of the method is investigated experimentally using beam-type specimens fabricated from cross-ply laminates. On the specimen surface, multiple electrodes are mounted by co-curing copper foil to measure electric resistance changes. Interlamina shear tests are conducted to create a practical delamination crack in a beam-type specimen. Five beam specimen types were made and tested. A large number of tests were conducted to obtain a data set for solving inverse problems to estimate delamination location and size from measured electric resistance changes. Response surfaces are employed for a solver of inverse problems instead of well-known artificial neural networks. As a result, the method successfully identifies delamination location and size for these beam type specimens. To obtain practically efficient estimation performance, at least five electrodes are indispensable for these beam type specimens.