CrackGuard, Methodology for monitoring crack growth in steel structures

Themes: Water & Maritime


Early prototype

A TRL is a measure to indicate the matureness of a developing technology. When an innovative idea is discovered it is often not directly suitable for application. Usually such novel idea is subjected to further experimentation, testing and prototyping before it can be implemented. The image below shows how to read TRL’s to categorise the innovative ideas.

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Why?


My research will improve safety and lower inspection costs of offshore and maritime steel structures by offering a solution to monitor detected fatigue cracks.

How?


Prototype design, numerical simulations and experimental research will be done to make the CrackGuard system as reliable, robust and affordable as possible.

When?


By the end of my PhD research in 2018, the CrackGuard system should be a product that is market ready and classified by several class societies in the maritime industry.

Ir. Menno van der Horst

 

Prof. dr. ir. Mirek Kaminski