Session: 02-11-01 Reliability Based Maintenance

Submission Number: 177755

Test Stand to Conduct Accelerated Ageing and Degradation Tests With Structural Monitoring Sensors 

Reliable sensor data is essential for all divisions of automation, process control, structural health and condition monitoring. While a lot of research focuses on structural degradation and its detection, the ageing and degradation of the monitoring system itself is rarely considered. In this paper we present a novel test stand and methodology, to conduct experimental research on the degradation of sensors under accelerated ageing conditions, as induced by a maritime atmosphere. The test stand combines a vibrating beam structure and a corrosion test chamber which allows to create corrosive atmospheres according to ISO 6270-2, VW PV1210, or MIL-STD-810 Method 509.7. In a first experiment, a variety of different sensors is mounted on the beam, inside the chamber: strain gauges, piezo electric strain and acceleration sensors, fiber optic sensors, amongst others. The test program starts with a four-day baseline cycle, in which the unaged, calibrated sensors are characterized under constant conditions, followed by a 10-day accelerated ageing cycle. After each accelerated ageing cycle, the same four-day baseline cycle is executed.  The data acquisition system logs all sensor outputs continuously. The data analysis framework consists of preprocessing, segmentation and statistical analysis, including the calculation of characteristic features: Offset/bias, signal-noise, Allan-variance, power spectral density and drift rate as well as further sensor-specific benchmarks. Shifts in the aforementioned features are being observed in order to detect and evaluate sensor degradation. The research will shed light on the data reliability of structural monitoring sensors under maritime environmental conditions and help to generate hypotheses for further research. (As per submission of this abstract, the first experiment is under preparation but not executed).

Presenting Author: Eike Hohmann DLR - Institute of Maritime Energy Systems

Presenting Author Biography: Research Scientist for DLR - Institute of Maritime Energy Systems. Studied mechanical engineering with a focus on renewable energies in Berlin. Employed as a Technical Superintendent for ship inspection, before rotating into research. Currently concerned with reliability and condition monitoring.

Authors:

Eike Hohmann DLR - Institute of Maritime Energy Systems
Moritz Braun DLR - Institute of Maritime Energy Systems
Sören Ehlers DLR - Institute of Maritime Energy Systems