Damage monitoring of composite materials using pulsed phase thermography and thermoelastic stress analysis

The current paper presents a new combined technique for damage detection, localisation and establishing damage severity. The technique is based on the use of two infrared detection approaches: Pulsed Phase Thermography (PPT) and Thermoelastic Stress Analysis (TSA). A methodology is described that allows the technique to be applied to fibre reinforced composites. The usefulness of the technique is demonstrated on delaminated glass epoxy laminates. A means of developing controlled delamination damage in such specimens is developed so that real sub surface damage is evaluated in the paper.