Advances in Embedded Sensor Technologies for Impact Monitoring in Composite Structures

Abstract

Embedded sensor technologies have emerged as pivotal tools in redefining structural health monitoring (SHM) within composite materials, addressing a critical need in the composite structure industry. Composites, by their layered nature, are particularly vulnerable to internal delamination and micro-cracks from impacts, which can propagate and lead to catastrophic failures. Traditional inspection methods often fail to detect internal damage and these undetected damages can lead to reduced performance and potential system failures. Embedded sensors offer a solution capable of detecting a spectrum of damages, from barely visible impact damages (BVID) and subtle low-energy impacts to pronounced impact-related deformations, all in real-time. Key sensors, such as Piezoelectric transducers (PZTs), Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs), and other potential sensors, have been discussed as potential detection techniques in this review. This review discusses a comprehensive picture of the progress and current scenario of different embedded sensors for SHM of composite structures. The growth of embedded sensor technologies, current limitations, and future requirements focusing on sensor materials have been discussed in this review. Finally, challenges and opportunities for the development of a sustainable SHM system have been discussed in this paper.