9714045 Yalcintas This Research Planning Grant (RPG) facilitates preliminary studies related to the development of a research proposal on fatigue damage detection of composite materials. The technique is based on the change of vibration characteristics of composites as they experience fatigue damage. Fiber optic sensors are used to measure the vibration response of the composite structures. Neural network prediction techniques are then employed to evaluate the measured vibration information, and predict the health conditions and damage state of the composite materials. The project addresses the limitations of composites for defense, space, automotive, and aerospace industries on account of their brittle nature and low fracture toughness. A continuous fatigue damage detection method is developed that can inform the user of the fatigue stage and remaining life of composite materials. ***
