Abstract:Structuralhealthmonitoring(SHM)achievestechnologicalleapsinthedesignandoperation
ofengineeringstructures.CompositematerialsincorporatingSHMsystemsenablethedesignandmanufactureoftailoredsmartstructures.
Thispapermainlyfocusesontheirapplicationtoaircraftasameansof
highlightingtheissuesthatfaceSHMincompositestructures.IncorporationofSHMhasthepotentialtoreducethrough-
lifecostsbytheadoptionofconditionbasedmaintenanceandtoreduceoperatingcostsbythe
designofmorestructurallyefficientaircraft.Thepaperaddressesissuesinvolvedinthedesign,certification,
manufactureandthroughlifesupportofsuchstructures.Criticalareasofdevelopmenthavebeenidentifiedto
enabletheimplementationofSHMinfuturecompositeaircraftstructures.