SHM Implementation on a RPV Airplane Model Based on Machine Learning for Impact Detection

Abstract

In this study, an on-working structural health monitoring system for impact detection on remote piloted vehicle (RPV) airplane is proposed. The approach is based on the propagation of Lamb waves in metallic structures on which Pb[Zr_xTi_1−x]O₃ (PZT) sensors are bonded for receiving vibrational signals due to impact events. The proposed method can be used to detect impacts in aerospace structures, i.e. skin fuselage and/or wing panels. After the detection, machine learning (ML) algorithms (polynomial regression and neural networks) are applied for processing the acquired ultrasounds waves in order to characterise the impacts, in terms of time of flight (ToF) and relative location. Several test cases are studied: the ML models are tested both without external noise (in laboratory) and introducing external RC engine vibration (on-working conditions). Furthermore, this work presents the implementation of a mini-equipment for acquisition and data processing based on Raspberry Pi. A good agreement between laboratory and in-flight results is achieved, in terms of distance between the actual and calculated impact location.