Impact localization in complex structures using laser-based time reversal

This study presents a new impact localization technique that can pinpoint the location of an impact event within a complex structure using a time-reversal concept, surface-mounted piezoelectric transducers, and a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. First, an impulse response function between an impact location and a piezoelectric transducer is approximated by exciting the piezoelectric transducer instead and measuring the response at the impact location using scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. Then, training impulse response functions are assembled by repeating this process for various potential impact locations and piezoelectric transducers. Once an actual impact event occurs, the impact response is recorded by the piezoelectric transducers and compared with the training impulse response functions. The correlations between the impact response and the impulse response functions in the training data are computed using a unique concept of time reversal. Finally, the training impulse response function, which gives the maximum correlation, is chosen from the training data set and the impact location is identified. The proposed impact localization technique has the following advantages over the existing techniques: (a) it can be applied to isotropic/anisotropic plate structures with additional complex features such as stringers, stiffeners, spars, and rivet connections; (b) only simple correlation calculation based on time reversal is required, making it attractive for real-time automated monitoring; and (c) training is conducted using noncontact scanning laser Doppler vibrometer and the existing piezoelectric transducers that may already be installed for other structural health–monitoring applications. Impact events on an actual composite aircraft wing and an actual aluminum fuselage are successfully identified using the proposed technique.