MERL Proposal for DTI Technology Programme – 2nd Call – Full proposal stage – TP/2/MS/6/I/10060

Annex C - MSI SPAR - Work Package breakdown

The project is broken into three main technical phases or work packages each with individual tasks. A fourth work package is for project dissemination and exploitation management.

Work Package 1 - Review and Definition – Months 0-6 months

Aim: To prepare a technology review report establishing state of the art and technology requirement in inspection and durability assessment techniques focussed on yacht masts and wind turbine blades

Task 1.1 Review and catalogue typical structures, materials, lay-up, structural loads, environmental loads and associated structures in other industries.
Task 1.2 Identify and catalogue probable failure/damage modes in key points in yacht masts and turbine blades
Task 1.3 Identify and catalogue inspections methods and current and emerging SHM methods
Task 1.4 Identify and catalogue analysis and testing requirements for identifying and assessing the presence of defects detected from inspection and SHM methods.
Task 1.5 Market review, large yacht spars
Task 1.6 Issue technology review information to participants as an initial aid for inspection and assessment of yacht spars and wind turbine blades

Deliverable: Technology review on inspection methods for project participants

Work Package 2 - Development and Demonstration – Months 6 - 24

Aim: To produce calibrated methods for inspection and assessment of prioritised defect types

Task 2.1 Use/develop inspection methods to calibrate against known defects.
Task 2.2 Calibrate key SHM methods with inspection requirements and structural integrity
Task 2.3 Conduct materials tests required for analysis of idealised structures.
Task 2.4 Conduct Finite element analysis of defects within structures and assess method to determine damage tolerance and no damage growth methodology.
Task 2.5 Issue report of methods.

Deliverable Quantitative guidelines on actions to take when defects are located.

Work Package 3 - Validation and Guidelines – Months 24 - 36

Aim: Validation and Issue of Guidelines

Task 3.1 Conduct simulated loading tests on actual structures to produce damage growth at defects using SHM and inspection techniques to monitor growth thus validating approaches
Task 3.2 Produce Guideline document with recommendations for inspection guidelines to find defects of potential consequence to effect structural integrity.

Deliverable Validated Guidelines for complete yacht spars published with a regulatory body.

Work Package 4 - Management – Months 1 - 36

Aim: Effective Project, dissemination and exploitation management

Task 4.1 To manage participants’ contributions and technical milestones (see Gantt chart in Annex D) to ensure delivery of project according to MERL’s established ISO9001-2000 approaches.
Task 4.2 To support the dissemination and exploitation of the Guidelines into industry practices by offering in-house and external workshops, training and consultancy. Prepare a proposal for extending the work to cored structures and other industry sectors utilising other NDT, SHM and damage tolerance techniques. Proposal will need to be at the European level, perhaps as an FP6/7 proposal

Deliverable Project Management Reports and Meetings, workshops, future FP6/7 proposal