Economic Impact Assessment of Structural Health Monitoring Systems on Helicopter Blade Beginning of Life

Te economic impact of Structural Health Monitoring Systems based on optical fbre sensors is assessed in the development ofcomposite helicopter rotor blades. Hence, the focus of this analysis is on the helicopter’s Beginning Of Life stage. Two applicationsof the Structural Health Monitoring System are considered in the development of composite blades: curing cycle development andaccomplishment of laboratory and fight certifcation tests. Optical fbre sensors measure the temperature feld during the curingcycle and strain feld during the laboratory tests and allow load identifcation during the load survey activity. It was found thatStructural Health Monitoring Systems can potentially lead to economic benefts during the development of the blade provide thata reduction in the number of curing cycles and number of blades tested is achieved as a consequence of the improvement of thetemperature and strain feld quality. Moreover, an economic beneft could be achieved during the load survey activity, needed tocomplete the certifcation of the composite blade, avoiding the periodical maintenance of the applied strain gauges acquiring thestrains during the fight.