Sizing of essential SHM components of IVHM architecture and computing the relevant costs via scalable simulation

Abstract

Application of Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) tools to aircraft repair and maintenance use cases can reduce maintenance periodicity, durance and costs, delays and turnaround time while optimizing planned vehicle maintenance and logistics. Whereas, structural health monitoring as a part of IVHM is focused on developing the technical means for performing automated inspections of aircraft structures. In prospect, successful implementation of Structure Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques can allow a lighter weight design for structure in future aircraft. Inside of the CleanSky II project DEMETER the benefits of changed design rules are evaluated. The main purpose of this paper is to show a tool for performing the sizing of essential SHM components and computing the relevant costs. This allows an evaluation of SHM monitored structures with the cost-benefits included. Therefore a generic aircraft model is developed, to calculate the design relevant parameter from a small set of public available parameter. Several types of sensors monitor different failure causes related to the structure are selected for simulation. Major parameters of SHM system such as weight, power consumption and generated data (see Figure 1) amount are estimated via a scalable simulation in relation to aircraft size and SHM sensors penetrability. The data amount will generate design requirements on data processing and storage. The simulation will also support decision-making related to selecting an optimal avionic architecture depending on quantity of sensors and generated data amount. The costs due to increasing of fuel consumption by weight change and power consumption after installation of sensing system are analyzed. In a show case the changed payload-range diagram of an A320 will show the impact with changed design and implemented SHM.