Development of methods for structural health monitoring and damage identification

The project aims to improve and expand collaboration between the scientists of the Riga Technical University Institute of Materials and Structures and the Dresden University of Technology Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology in the field of structural health monitoring and damage identification, and to promote sustainable exchange of students and young scientists, as well as technology and knowledge transfer between the participating countries. Within the project Latvian and German scientists will share their experience and knowledge of methods and solutions for structural health monitoring and damage identification and their application for various engineering structures.

Structural health monitoring and damage detection in civil, transport and aerospace engineering constructions has become one of the most important keys in maintaining the integrity and safety of a structure. Thus, developed solutions and expertise of Institute of Materials and Structures and Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology researchers in this area can be useful not only for the involved project partners, but also for students and professionals from various disciplines in both countries.

One of the project activities was a guest lecture of Latvian scientist in Germany on structural health monitoring and damage identification solutions developed at IMS and their application areas. The guest lecture was held on August 21, 2012 at the facilities of TUD ILK. Likewise the guest lecture of German scientists was held on November 23, 2012 in Latvia.

Within the project joint scientific research work was carried out in both participating countries. In Latvia research work on the development of methods for structural health monitoring and damage detection was conducted throughout the whole project implementation period. Another project activity was two week research visit of Latvian scientist at TUD in November 2012 to carry out a research work at ILK experimental facilities. Obtained results were presented in a seminar held at the TUD on December 10, 2012. Using the obtained results the abstract „Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Damage-Dependent Vibration Behaviour of Textile Reinforced Composite Structures” have been prepared for the presentation of a joint report at the International Conference on Structural Engineering Dynamics (ICEDyn 2013) which will take place in Portugal in June 2013. A joint scientific publication will be prepared for the conference proceeding compilation and also for international scientific journal „Shock and Vibration Journal”. The enhanced collaboration between IMS and ILK scientists within the project will help in preparation of joint international project proposals and project realization in future.

Students in Germany and Latvia.