Special Session-1

Special Session Organizers:

Assoc. Prof. Fei Gao, School of Reliability and Systems Engineering, Beihang University, China

Assoc. Prof. Wenhao Li, Ningbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, China

Introduction and Topics:

Modern aerospace structures demand inspection solutions that balance stringent safety requirements with operational efficiency. Ultrasonic guided waves have emerged as a transformative technology for evaluating large-area, lightweight airframe components—fuselage skins, wing assemblies, control surfaces, and composite tail sections—where traditional ultrasonic methods face accessibility constraints or excessive inspection time. Their capacity for single-access, long-range screening while detecting critical damage modes, such as fatigue cracks beneath fastener heads, hidden corrosion, barely visible impact damage in composites, addresses core challenges in both manufacturing quality assurance and in-service maintenance.

This Special Issue focuses on bridging the gap between guided wave research and aerospace engineering practice. We seek contributions that advance understanding of wave physics in realistic airframe conditions—accounting for structural complexity (stiffeners, curvature, material transitions), environmental operational factors, and the reliability demands of aviation safety regulations. Topics of particular interest include:

• Modeling and simulation of guided wave behavior in metallic and composite aerospace structures
• Sensor technologies suitable for airframe integration and harsh operational environments
• Signal processing methods robust to aircraft operational noise and temperature variations
• Damage imaging and sizing techniques supporting maintenance decisions
• Validation studies using representative aerospace materials and structural configurations

We also welcome submissions addressing implementation challenges: sensor durability under flight conditions, weight and power constraints for onboard monitoring, data management for fleet-wide applications, and pathways to regulatory acceptance for structural health monitoring systems.