Methods for monitoring components using micro and macro three-dimensional analysis

A method of monitoring a component, the method comprising:

• providing the component, the component comprising a body having an exterior surface and a plurality of passive strain indicators configured on the exterior surface;
• initially directly measuring the component with at least one three-dimensional data acquisition device, wherein the initial direct measurement generates a first point cloud and a plurality of second point clouds, the first point cloud corresponding to the exterior surface and comprising a plurality of first data points, each data point having an X-axis coordinate, a Y-axis coordinate, and a Z-axis coordinate, each second point cloud corresponding to one of the plurality of passive strain indicators and comprising a plurality of second data points, each data point having an X-axis coordinate, a Y-axis coordinate, and a Z-axis coordinate, wherein a second data point density of each second point cloud is greater than a first data point density of the first point cloud;
• subjecting the component to at least one duty cycle;
• subsequently directly measuring the component with the at least one three-dimensional data acquisition device, wherein the subsequent direct measurement generates a third point cloud and a plurality of fourth point clouds, the third point cloud corresponding to the exterior surface and comprising a plurality of third data points, each data point having an X-axis coordinate, a Y-axis coordinate, and a Z-axis coordinate, each fourth point cloud corresponding to one of the plurality of passive strain indicators and comprising a plurality of fourth data points, each data point having an X-axis coordinate, a Y-axis coordinate, and a Z-axis coordinate, wherein a fourth data point density of each fourth point cloud is greater than a third data point density of each third point cloud;
• comparing the first point cloud to the third point cloud to evaluate global deformation of the component, wherein differences between the location of exterior surface features are monitored via the comparison of the X-axis coordinate, the Y-axis coordinate, and the Z-axis coordinate of the first data points corresponding to the exterior surface features with the X-axis coordinate, the Y-axis coordinate, and the Z-axis coordinate of the third data points corresponding to the exterior surface features;
• and
• comparing the second point cloud to the fourth point cloud for each passive strain indicator to evaluate local deformation of each of the plurality of passive strain indicators wherein differences between the location of passive strain indicators features are monitored via the comparison of the X-axis coordinate, the Y-axis coordinate, and the Z-axis coordinate of the second data points corresponding to the passive strain indicator features with the X-axis coordinate, the Y-axis coordinate, and the Z-axis coordinate of the fourth data points corresponding to the passive strain indicator features.