03/24/2023
By Danielle Fretwell

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, invites you to attend a master’s thesis defense by Tymon Nieduzak on “Wind Turbine Foundation Monitoring using Optical Motion Magnification.”

Candidate Name: Tymon Nieduzak
Degree: Master’s
Defense Date: April 7, 2023
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Dandeneau Hall 220 – in person

This will be an in-person defense with a Zoom option. Those interested in attending virtually should contact the student (Tymon_Nieduzak@student.uml.edu) and the committee chair (Alessandro_Sabato@uml.edu) at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Committee:

  • Advisor Alessandro Sabato, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Christopher Niezrecki, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Pradeep Kurup, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Brief Abstract:

Optical Motion Magnification (OMM) is a non-contact-based vibration monitoring technique gaining recognition in the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and structural dynamics research communities. OMM algorithms can amplify and isolate subtle vibrations in a video-recorded object of interest. Not only can this technique produce qualitative magnified motion videos revealing the points of largest displacements, but quantitative displacement time histories can be generated, and the frequency content extracted. The objective of this work is to develop the use of OMM as a non-invasive SHM method for wind turbines and other components of a wind farm. Traditional techniques for wind turbine Condition Monitoring (CM) are expensive (both in time and capital), and often invasive/destructive. Due to the heavy dynamic loading conditions and the severe hazards of wind turbine failure, material testing of components during fabrication and active monitoring during turbine operation is necessary. As turbines age, wear induced damages accumulate in the structural, mechanical, and electrical components. These flaws or imperfections in the turbines can exponentiate fatigue stresses and the potential for catastrophic failure. The ability to effectively monitor wind turbine foundations and components using optical methods is examined in this work.