Dynamic Stress-Strain Prediction from Limited Measurements in the Presence of Structural Defects

Complex composite structures, that are subjected to appreciable externally induced loading, will fatigue and fail over time. For many structures, imminent failure and loss of structural integrity is not externally apparent. Typical failure occurs at the interfaces between the structure’s surface and internal ribs or stiffening members. Conventional approaches for proper validation of full-scale exterior dynamic behavior of numerical models require a significant number of measurement points; unfortunately, interior dynamic response due to time-varying loads is not currently predictable from measured data.