Damage detection of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites via electrical resistance measurement

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer-matrix composites (CFRPs) are widely applicable in various important structural components. One of the critical issues in the successful application of CFRPs is the assessment of damage state in a particular structural component. Electrical resistance measurement is a merging non-destructive evaluation technology for real-time/on-board damage detection in CFRPs. This paper overviews the recent advances in damage detection in CFRPs using the resistance measurement. Besides the discussions on various experimental methods for self-sensing and damage detection, modeling from microscale to continuum levels for the predictions of resistances change due to the mechanical damages are also presented. Future directions in damage detection of CFRPs using the resistance method are provided. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.