Vibration based analysis of an increasing delamination in a carbon/epoxy composite structure

This paper reports on the evaluation of variable damage configuations in a polymeric composite material using its vibration response. While this material type has well-sought after mechanical characteristics such as good strength-to-weight ratios and extreme fatigue resistance, it is however predisposed to other damage types such as fibre breakage, matrix cracking and delaminations caused by operational loading, mechanical vibration and change of ambient conditions. This paper highlights the use of vibration based testing on carbon/epoxy composite beams for damage detection.