You have requested a machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Neither SPIE nor the owners and publishers of the content make, and they explicitly disclaim, any express or implied representations or warranties of any kind, including, without limitation, representations and warranties as to the functionality of the translation feature or the accuracy or completeness of the translations.
Translations are not retained in our system. Your use of this feature and the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in the Terms and Conditions of Use of the SPIE website.
14 August 2003Impact damage detection system using small-diameter optical fiber sensors wavily embedded in CFRP laminate structures
It is well known that barely visible damage is often induced in composite structures subjected to out-of plane impact, and the mechanical properties of the composites decrease markedly. In this study, some element technologies for the detection of the damage are explained. Those are (1) the technologies for the arrangement of embedded small-diameter optical fibers which have no serious effect on the mechanical properties of composites, (2) the technologies for the egress of the optical fibers using “the embedded connector for smart structures” which can be trimmed without care about the optical fibers, (3) the technologies for the damage detection system that has the functions for data acquisition and analysis, the evaluation of the initiation and the position of damage, and the visualization of damage information. The impact test using the composite airframe demonstrator is conducted. The sensors embedded in the upper panel of the stiffened cylindrical composite structure with 1.5 m in diameter and 3 m in length, are FBG sensors for strain measurement and the optical fibers for optical loss measurement. The detection of damage in the composite structures using a developed damage detection system is demonstrated.