Impedance-based Structural Health Monitoring of Thermal Protection Systems

Components used for thermal protection have not previously been interrogated with the impedance method. In this study, structures are fabricated to represent typical thermal protections systems. The replicas are designed to simulate actual protection systems in use. Observations are made into the verification of the impedance method in effectively monitoring complex thermal protection systems from non-optimal sensor placement locations. The thermal protections systems are damaged in a way to represent typical damage mechanisms. The sensitivity of the impedance method to various types of damage in representative structures will also be discussed. Different operational conditions, including high temperatures, are also included in the experimentation.