Thrust Area 3: Structural Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of Damaged Vehicles

Structural Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of Damaged Vehicles

Principal Investigator
Matt Castanier (U. of Michigan)

Government
Steve Schultz, Wesley Bylsma (TARDEC)

Student
Sung Kwon Hong (U. of Michigan)

The objective of this project is to develop new modeling and simulation capabilities for structural dynamic analysis of vehicles that have suffered damage in one or more components. These tools will also be used to develop a sensor placement code for structural health monitoring and condition-based maintenance applications.

This work will benefit the Army by providing tools that can be used to help monitor and maintain the structural health of military ground vehicles. Applications include:

Determining best sensor locations for detecting damage (in project plan)
Evaluating effects of damage on operational stress levels and vehicle reliability
Developing condition-based maintenance inspection routines
Performing condition-based reliability assessment
Guiding repair methods
Designing structural components and health monitoring systems for future vehicles

Therefore, this work will also benefit industry for a variety of engineering applications in which structural health monitoring, prognosis, and condition-based maintenance is critical (e.g., airframes and aircraft engines).