Development Status of Optical Fiber Sensor Based Impact Damage Detection System for Composite Airframe Structures

Abstract

Airframe structures, especially composite structures, are prone to damage by tool drops, bird strikes, hailstones, etc. The authors have performed the fundamental research for the Impact Damage Detection System (IDDS) based on optical fiber sensors since 1998. From 2006, more practical studies toward actual aircraft application were conducted with the University of Tokyo and Airbus through the JASTAC (the Japan Airbus SHM Technology for Aircraft Composite) joint research project by Airbus and SOKEIZAI center. This paper presents the recent achievement at KHI on enhancing the applicability of IDDS to actual aircraft, as well as the review of JASTAC joint research project achievement.