[2C6] Development of new techniques for the rapid inspection of thick, highly attenuative GFRP composite structures and bonded composite joints
N Hartley
TWI, UK
Traditional methods, such as ultrasonic testing, are limited by the poor signal-to-noise ratio achieved and the slow speed of deployment. This paper describes the process of research and development undertaken to identify a suitable inspection method for large-scale, highly attenuative glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) structures that are structurally complex. The results of trials of various methods are presented and discussed, including a new multi-frequency microwave inspection device and a novel automated tap-testing system, developed specifically for this type of structure by TWI.