Propagation monitoring by FSM for cracks repaired with patch plates

Abstract

In order to investigate whether propagation of cracks repaired with patch plates could be monitored by FSM or not, a series of experiments and analyses were carried out. A slit imitating a crack was inserted in a plate covered by patch plates and its propagation was monitored by FSM. The experiment was simulated by an electric field analysis. Although the potential difference, which was the measure of FSM-monitoring, was affected by the patch plates and the bolts, the crack propagation in the invisible area covered by the patch plates could be monitored with high accuracy by FSM.