Modelling, detecting and evaluating water ingress in aviation honeycomb panels

Abstract

The use of infrared thermography for quantitative evaluation of water ingress in aviation honeycomb cells is discussed. Numerical modelling has been performed by analysing a 3D panel model where water fully or partially occupies honeycomb cells. Calculation of several test cases has allowed better understanding of how the thickness of the water layer affects surface temperature anomalies and times of their appearance in active one-sided thermal tests. Experimental results have been obtained on both reference samples and real honeycomb panels.

Keywords:

• Infrared thermography
• nondestructive testing
• water ingress
• honeycomb panel