Effect of fatigue loading on the modal properties of composite structures and its utilization for prediction of residual life

The design of composite structures for fatigue loading utilizes S-N curves to predict the fatigue life based on coupon testing. Due to the complex manufacturing process, the initial fabrication inconsistencies may cause the predicted number of cycles to failure to be off by one or two orders of magnitude. An experimental method is developed to predict the residual fatigue life of composite structures and continuously refine the prediction during the service life of these structures. Global effects on modal parameters, natural frequencies and damping ratios are investigated during the fatigue process. The Random Decrement signal processing technique is used. Changes of modal parameters are correlated with the prediction of fatigue failure life fur selected graphite/epoxy composite specimens. The nature of the proposed method lends itself to real-time applications, especially, in service structures, as a nondestructive indicator. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.