Szczegóły publikacji
Opis bibliograficzny
AE source localization in spacecraft structures: classical vs. wavefront-shape approaches / Siddhesh RAORANE, Zbigniew KLIMEK, Tadeusz UHL, Paweł PAĆKO // The e-Journal of Nondestructive Testing [Dokument elektroniczny]. — Czasopismo elektroniczne ; ISSN 1435-4934 . — 2026 — spec. iss., s. 1–7. — Wymagania systemowe: Adobe Reader. — Bibliogr. s. 6–7, Abstr. — Z. Klimek - dod. afiliacja: Office of Technical Inspection (UDT), Poland. — EWSHM 2026 : 12th European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring : July 7–10, 2026, Toulouse, France
Autorzy (4)
Słowa kluczowe
Dane bibliometryczne
| ID BaDAP | 169592 |
|---|---|
| Data dodania do BaDAP | 2026-09-22 |
| Tekst źródłowy | URL |
| DOI | 10.58286/33685 |
| Rok publikacji | 2026 |
| Typ publikacji | referat w czasopiśmie |
| Otwarty dostęp |  |
| Creative Commons | |
| Czasopismo/seria | The e-Journal of Nondestructive Testing |
Abstract
Acoustic emission (AE) source localization is a key technique in structural health monitoring (SHM) of aerospace structures, including components for space applications. AE enables real-time detection and localization of damage events such as cracking, delamination, or material degradation, often before they propagate to critical failure. For space-bound structures, early damage detection is particularly vital due to extreme operational conditions, high safety requirements, and the prohibitive cost of repair or replacement after launch. Unlike other non-destructive evaluation methods, AE allows continuous, in-situ monitoring under operational loads, providing immediate feedback on structural integrity and supporting predictive maintenance and risk mitigation strategies critical to mission success. Classical AE localization approaches, such as time-of-arrival (TOA) triangulation, typically require prior knowledge of wave velocity and rely on assumptions regarding structural symmetry. These requirements may limit their applicability in real spacecraft components, where material properties, structural layout, and directional stiffness are often unknown or spatially varying, potentially reducing localization accuracy. In this work, we present a comparative study between (i) a classical TOA-based localization method implemented in the Vallen Systeme GmbH AE system, and (ii) a wavefront-shape based localization approach that does not require knowledge of wave speed, material properties, or orientation of the axes of symmetry. The approaches were employed to localize AE sources on a cylindrical spacecraft structure intended for space applications, as shown in the figure. Experimental AE signals were generated using pencil lead breaks at multiple locations on the spacecraft structure. Two sensor configurations were considered: a conventional spatial arrangement for classical localization, and L-shaped sensor clusters for the wavefront-shape based method. Each L-shaped cluster consists of three sensors arranged at right angles, enabling the extraction of time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) measurements and, consequently, the angle of arrival of the AE signals. The L-shaped cluster provides directional sensitivity, allowing the wavefront-shape method to infer the source location based on local wavefront curvature and propagation characteristics, independent of material properties or structural assumptions. The study focuses on comparing both methods in terms of source localization accuracy across multiple excitation points. The wavefront-shape based method assumes that the AE-generated wavefront is elliptical and solves an optimization problem using only the angle of wave arrival (derived from the TDOA) and the positions of the L-shaped sensor clusters as inputs. This enables source localization without prior calibration or knowledge of wave propagation characteristics. In contrast, the classical Vallen-based approach relies on TOA measurements and user-provided wave velocity inputs. By benchmarking classical and wavefront-based localization on the same experimental dataset, this work aims to quantify the relative strengths and limitations of each method for realistic rocket SHM scenarios. The findings are intended to inform the design of sensor configurations and provide guidance on selecting appropriate AE localization strategies for space-bound structures, where material properties and structural layouts are uncertain or only partially known. The results are expected to support more reliable in-situ monitoring of critical spacecraft components, contributing to enhanced safety and mission success.
