Source differentiation and identification of acoustic emission signals by time-frequency analysis

In the context of Structural Health Monitoring, the Acoustic Emission Technique may be efficiently used to detect damage on aerospace structures. This study focuses on the development of a source identification algorithm to distinguish different acoustic emission events in aluminium sheets, which have been collected during experimental tests. The future goal will be the design of a Holistic Structural Health Monitoring System which will make the complete aircraft an intelligent structure able to diagnose its own structural damage based on the condition of the structure while maintaining safety.