Real-Time Structural Monitoring Using the Inverse Finite Element Method: A Review of Experimental Applications in Aerospace Engineering MARCO ESPOSITO, MATTEO SORRENTI, VINCENZO BISCOTTI, MARCO GHERLONE Structural Health Monitoring 2025 Ensuring Mobility and Autonomy with Sustainability Proceedings of the 15th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring Iwshm 2025, 2025 The realization of an efficient Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system strongly depends on the availability of tools that can accurately detect the structural condition during operational life. This detection can be achieved by means of physical sensors, which can provide information on the mechanical state of a structure. However, the installation of several sensors is often impractical or even impossible for systems operating in complex environments, such as aerospace, marine, and civil structures. In this context, the inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM) was developed. This algorithm is based on the finite element discretization of the structural domain. iFEM is able to reconstruct two physical quantities crucial for assessing the health status of a structure, the displacement and the stress fields, from a reduced number of easily installable physical strain sensors and without the need to know the loading conditions and the material properties. The method is extremely accurate and computationally efficient. These characteristics make it suitable for the real-time monitoring of structures and crucial for feeding the SHM framework with sufficient data using only a few sensors installed. Several works have proved the method’s accuracy when strain data are collected and processed offline. For the first time, this work presents an overview of the implementation of structural digital twins of several structures through the use of iFEM as a real-time monitoring system. In this study, both simple structures, such as a cantilevered beam, and more complex ones, such as a half-wing, are monitored live. In the presented applications, the data from the real structure is broadcast through an internet network so that the data from the sensors can feed the digital twin model remotely. These applications demonstrate that iFEM enables real-time monitoring, representing a significant step forward in the realization of the digital twin paradigm.
New Accomplishments on the Equivalence of the First-Order Displacement-Based Zigzag Theories through a Unified Formulation Marco Di Sciuva, Matteo Sorrenti Journal of Composites Science, 2024 The paper presents a critical review and new accomplishments on the equivalence of the first-order displacement-based zigzag theories for laminated composite and sandwich structures. Zigzag theories (ZZTs) have widely spread among researchers over the last few decades thanks to their accuracy in predicting the response of multilayered composite and sandwich structures while retaining the simplicity of their underlying equivalent single-layer (ESL) theory. The displacement field consists of two main contributions: the global one, able to describe the overall structural behaviour, and the local layer-wise one that considers the transverse shear continuity at the layer interfaces that describe the “zigzag” displacement pattern typical of multilayered structures. In the framework of displacement-based linear ZZTs, various assumptions have been made on the local contribution, and different theories have been deduced. This paper aims to provide a unified formulation for first-order ZZTs, highlighting some common aspects and underlying equivalencies with existing formulations. The mathematical demonstrations and the numerical examples prove the equivalence of the approaches to characterising local zigzag enrichment. Finally, it is demonstrated that the kinematic assumptions are the discriminants of the ZZTs’ accuracy.
Experimental shape sensing of a wing structure using SSB-iFEM: Static assessment and dynamic wind tunnel test M Esposito, M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Measurement, 120354 , 2026 2026 Citations: 3
An experimental and numerical dynamic study of thick sandwich beams using a mixed {3, 2}-RZT formulation M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Finite Elements in Analysis and Design 251, 104435 , 2025 2025
Advanced finite element approaches for the 2D analysis of multilayered composite and sandwich beams M Sorrenti, F Turon, F Otero, X Martinez, M Gherlone European Journal of Mechanics-A/Solids 111, 105606 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Real-time structural monitoring using the inverse Finite Element Method: A review of experimental applications in aerospace engineering M Esposito, M Sorrenti, V Biscotti, M Gherlone Structural Health Monitoring 2025 1 , 2025 2025
Numerical and experimental predictions of the static behaviour of thick sandwich beams using a mixed {3, 2}-RZT formulation M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Finite Elements in Analysis and Design 242, 104267 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Robust TRIA3 and QUAD4 Finite Elements Based on the En-Rzt Kinematics for the Analysis of General Anisotropic Multilayered Composite Plates M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Mechanics of Composite Materials 60 (5), 1001-1026 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
DIMOSS, a Novel Structural Shape and Stress Monitoring Software: Theoretical Background and Applications Review M Esposito, M Sorrenti, R Roy, C Surace, M Gherlone International Symposium on Dynamic Response and Failure of Composite … , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
New Accomplishments on the Equivalence of the First-Order Displacement-Based Zigzag Theories through a Unified Formulation M Di Sciuva, M Sorrenti Journal of Composites Science 8 (5), 181 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Dynamic assessment of thick sandwich beams using a mixed-Refined Zigzag Theory: experimental validation using Laser Doppler Vibrometry M Sorrenti, M Gherlone, SPL Carvalho International Symposium on Dynamic Response and Failure of Composite … , 2024 2024
Dynamic analysis of sandwich beams with adhesive layers using the mixed refined zigzag theory M Sorrenti, M Gherlone AIP Conference Proceedings 2849 (1), 250002 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
Free vibration analysis of angle-ply laminated and sandwich plates using enhanced refined zigzag theory M Sorrenti, M Gherlone, MD Sciuva AIP Conference Proceedings 2849 (1), 250001 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
Refined zigzag models for the response of general multilayered composite and sandwich structures: numerical and experimental investigations M Sorrenti Politecnico di Torino , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
A new mixed model based on the enhanced-Refined Zigzag Theory for the analysis of thick multilayered composite plates M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Composite Structures 311, 116787 , 2023 2023 Citations: 20
Buckling analysis of angle-ply multilayered and sandwich plates using the enhanced Refined Zigzag Theory M Sorrenti, M Gherlone, M Di Sciuva Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences 71 (1), 84-102 , 2022 2022 Citations: 6
An enhancement of the warping shear functions of Refined Zigzag Theory M Sorrenti, M Di Sciuva Journal of Applied Mechanics 88 (8), 084501 , 2021 2021 Citations: 23
Bending and free vibration analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates: An assessment of the Refined Zigzag Theory M Di Sciuva, M Sorrenti Journal of Sandwich Structures & Materials 23 (3), 760-802 , 2021 2021 Citations: 57
Static response and buckling loads of multilayered composite beams using the refined zigzag theory and higher-order Haar wavelet method M Sorrenti, M Di Sciuva, J Majak, F Auriemma Mechanics of Composite Materials 57 (1), 1-18 , 2021 2021 Citations: 45
A robust four-node quadrilateral element for laminated composite and sandwich plates based on Refined Zigzag Theory M Sorrenti, M Di Sciuva, A Tessler Computers & Structures 242, 106369 , 2021 2021 Citations: 28
A Family of C0 Quadrilateral Plate Elements Based on the Refined Zigzag Theory for the Analysis of Thin and Thick Laminated Composite and Sandwich Plates M Di Sciuva, M Sorrenti Journal of Composites Science 3 (4), 100 , 2019 2019 Citations: 7
Bending, free vibration and buckling of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced sandwich plates, using the extended Refined Zigzag Theory M Di Sciuva, M Sorrenti Composite Structures 227, 111324 , 2019 2019 Citations: 132
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Bending, free vibration and buckling of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced sandwich plates, using the extended Refined Zigzag Theory M Di Sciuva, M Sorrenti Composite Structures 227, 111324 , 2019 2019 Citations: 132
Bending and free vibration analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates: An assessment of the Refined Zigzag Theory M Di Sciuva, M Sorrenti Journal of Sandwich Structures & Materials 23 (3), 760-802 , 2021 2021 Citations: 57
Static response and buckling loads of multilayered composite beams using the refined zigzag theory and higher-order Haar wavelet method M Sorrenti, M Di Sciuva, J Majak, F Auriemma Mechanics of Composite Materials 57 (1), 1-18 , 2021 2021 Citations: 45
A robust four-node quadrilateral element for laminated composite and sandwich plates based on Refined Zigzag Theory M Sorrenti, M Di Sciuva, A Tessler Computers & Structures 242, 106369 , 2021 2021 Citations: 28
An enhancement of the warping shear functions of Refined Zigzag Theory M Sorrenti, M Di Sciuva Journal of Applied Mechanics 88 (8), 084501 , 2021 2021 Citations: 23
A new mixed model based on the enhanced-Refined Zigzag Theory for the analysis of thick multilayered composite plates M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Composite Structures 311, 116787 , 2023 2023 Citations: 20
Numerical and experimental predictions of the static behaviour of thick sandwich beams using a mixed {3, 2}-RZT formulation M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Finite Elements in Analysis and Design 242, 104267 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Refined zigzag models for the response of general multilayered composite and sandwich structures: numerical and experimental investigations M Sorrenti Politecnico di Torino , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
A Family of C0 Quadrilateral Plate Elements Based on the Refined Zigzag Theory for the Analysis of Thin and Thick Laminated Composite and Sandwich Plates M Di Sciuva, M Sorrenti Journal of Composites Science 3 (4), 100 , 2019 2019 Citations: 7
Buckling analysis of angle-ply multilayered and sandwich plates using the enhanced Refined Zigzag Theory M Sorrenti, M Gherlone, M Di Sciuva Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences 71 (1), 84-102 , 2022 2022 Citations: 6
New Accomplishments on the Equivalence of the First-Order Displacement-Based Zigzag Theories through a Unified Formulation M Di Sciuva, M Sorrenti Journal of Composites Science 8 (5), 181 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Experimental shape sensing of a wing structure using SSB-iFEM: Static assessment and dynamic wind tunnel test M Esposito, M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Measurement, 120354 , 2026 2026 Citations: 3
Robust TRIA3 and QUAD4 Finite Elements Based on the En-Rzt Kinematics for the Analysis of General Anisotropic Multilayered Composite Plates M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Mechanics of Composite Materials 60 (5), 1001-1026 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Dynamic analysis of sandwich beams with adhesive layers using the mixed refined zigzag theory M Sorrenti, M Gherlone AIP Conference Proceedings 2849 (1), 250002 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
Free vibration analysis of angle-ply laminated and sandwich plates using enhanced refined zigzag theory M Sorrenti, M Gherlone, MD Sciuva AIP Conference Proceedings 2849 (1), 250001 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
DIMOSS, a Novel Structural Shape and Stress Monitoring Software: Theoretical Background and Applications Review M Esposito, M Sorrenti, R Roy, C Surace, M Gherlone International Symposium on Dynamic Response and Failure of Composite … , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Advanced finite element approaches for the 2D analysis of multilayered composite and sandwich beams M Sorrenti, F Turon, F Otero, X Martinez, M Gherlone European Journal of Mechanics-A/Solids 111, 105606 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
An experimental and numerical dynamic study of thick sandwich beams using a mixed {3, 2}-RZT formulation M Sorrenti, M Gherlone Finite Elements in Analysis and Design 251, 104435 , 2025 2025
Real-time structural monitoring using the inverse Finite Element Method: A review of experimental applications in aerospace engineering M Esposito, M Sorrenti, V Biscotti, M Gherlone Structural Health Monitoring 2025 1 , 2025 2025
Dynamic assessment of thick sandwich beams using a mixed-Refined Zigzag Theory: experimental validation using Laser Doppler Vibrometry M Sorrenti, M Gherlone, SPL Carvalho International Symposium on Dynamic Response and Failure of Composite … , 2024 2024