Health Monitoring of Minehunter Composite Hulls

Problem:

Minehunter vessels are predominantly manufactured from composite materials and are subjected to extreme loading through blast. Solutions were required to identify and monitor damage in critical structural components.

Approach:

Experts in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and structural simulation led collaborative research inside CRC-ACS to develop a system capable of damage detection. The research focused on the development of optical fibre technology and the validation of its capabilities through structural test.

Solution:

Extensive simulation of the structural behaviour of the critical hull-bulkhead joint was undertaken to identify the primary locations for failure under simulated blast conditions. A monitoring system consisting of optical fibre sensors embedded within the critical hull-bulkhead joint was produced that could detect the growth of damage within the joint without causing any detrimental effects to the performance of the joint through their presence.

Outcome:

The technology developed in this programme was demonstrated on representative maritime structures. Partner organisations in the defence industry now have access to SHM technology capable of implementation with large composite platforms. SHM technology is anticipated to bring tens of millions of dollars benefit to the defence industry through the development of more efficient maintenance practices. A range of other industries will benefit from decreased maintenance costs, opening new markets for composites applications.