The outputs of the neural networks, in this case, were chordwise strains. Three kinds of neural-net training have been implemented with software. These are listed in increasing order of effectiveness. The effectiveness of this technique depends strongly on the accuracy of the models. Neural networks can be trained very effectively to categorize measured time-average patterns.
Categories can consist of damaged and undamaged fan blades, for example.
We plan to expand this work in the future from nonrotating to rotating fan blades.