Smart sensing layer for the detection of damage due to defects in a laminated composite structure

A smart sensing layer based on polystyrene and carbon nanoparticles has been developed. It has been deposited on the composite specimens for real-time, in situ monitoring of structural health. The strain response of the smart sensing layer has been recorded for composite laminates using different defect configurations (notch spacing). Numerical simulations of the stress-strain concentration have been carried out in order to determine the state of strain at the smart sensing layer, in the presence of different notch configurations. It has been observed that the sensing layer detects well the presence of large deformations and damage due to defects in the structure, with clearly defined peaks at the points of structural damage.