journal article·2026-02-02Open access

Acoustics as a Structural Health Monitoring Tool in Naval and Offshore Structures: A Comprehensive Review

Arturo Silva-Campillo, M. A. Herreros-Sierra, Francisco Pérez-Arribas

Applied Sciences· Volume 16· Issue 3

Abstract

The increasing demand for reliability and safety in naval and offshore structures has accelerated the adoption of advanced Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques. Among them, acoustic methods—ranging from passive acoustic emission monitoring to guided ultrasonic waves—have demonstrated exceptional potential for early detection, localization, and characterization of structural damage under harsh marine environments. This review provides a comprehensive and critical synthesis of the state-of-the-art in acoustic-based SHM applied to ships, submarines, offshore platforms, and floating renewable energy systems. Special emphasis is placed on the comparative performance of different acoustic techniques, their integration with numerical modeling and data-driven methods, and their suitability for real-world deployment considering hydrodynamic, operational, and environmental constraints. By bridging current achievements with future challenges, the paper highlights research gaps and outlines key directions to accelerate the transition of acoustic SHM technologies from laboratory studies to widespread industrial applications. This review aspires to serve as a reference work for both academic researchers and practitioners, consolidating knowledge and inspiring innovation in the field.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Ultrasonics and Acoustic Wave Propagation · Structural Health Monitoring Techniques · Machine Fault Diagnosis Techniques

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Naval Architecture, Shipbuilding and Ocean Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, Spain

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