Abstract
This paper summarizes the implementation of an impact identification system on a composite plate. The impact, normal to the surface of the plate, generates a traveling wave that is measured by surface mounted sensors. The identification system compares the measured response of the plate to the model response and estimates the impact location and force time history. The accuracy and reliability of the system was tested using many impacts distributed across the plate and the robustness of the system was tested by adding simulated noise to the data. The system was tested on the composite plate with free boundaries and clamped boundaries. The system proved to be accurate with an average location error ranging from .39 inches for the free boundary case to .49 inches for the clamped plate with noise. The area monitored by the 13 sensor array was 20 inches by 20 inches.
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