Description:
Reference #: 01546
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for Algorithm for Detection of Real-Time Damage using Acoustic Emissions
Background:
Other methods of damage detection rely on historical data (meaning that they will need to collect multiple days, weeks, or months of data before they can make a determination in amount of damage).
Invention Description:
We have developed a method of detecting structural damage of structures using specialized sensors. Using our method, structures can be monitored in real-time to predict damage level. This damage level assessment can be used to plan repairs and restorations of structures.
Potential Applications:
Real-time structural damage evaluation can be used in a variety of applications. In this application of the method, we show its usage in evaluating concrete structures. This application can primarily be used by organizations such as the Department of Transportation to monitor bridges and other structures to access current damage levels to aid in restoration and repair planning. Although in this application we show its usage with concrete, it can also be applied to other materials such as composites.
Advantages and Benefits:
Collecting data from AE sensors is non-intrusive and can be set up for remote sensing. This means that the structure being tested will not be damaged further and there is little human intervention needed to maintain a live system of AE sensing. The fact that it is real-time eliminates the need for collection of historical data (over the course of days, weeks or months) to make an assessment.