Identification of impact force for smart composite stiffened panels

In this work, a new methodology is presented for reconstruction of the impact force history using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and spectral components of sensor data recorded by piezoceramic sensors. A large set of data, required for training the ANNs, was generated by using an efficient nonlinear finite element (FE) model of a sensorised composite stiffened panel. Impact experiments were performed on a composite plate equipped with surface-mounted piezoceramic sensors to validate the numerical modelling approach. Using the FE model of the panel, data were generated for impacts that are likely to occur during the life-time of an aircraft, consisting of large mass (e.g. dropping tool) and small mass (e.g. debris) impacts at various locations, i.e. in the bay, on the foot of a stringer and over/under a stringer. Even though the panel undergoes large deformation during impact (nonlinear response), the established networks predict the impact force history and its peak with reasonable accuracy.