Characterization of embedded fiber optic sensors in advanced composite materials for structural health monitoring

W. Lance Richards; Dong Gun Lee; Anthony Piazza; Anna K. Stewart; Gregory P. Carman

doi:10.1117/12.540151

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26 July 2004 Characterization of embedded fiber optic sensors in advanced composite materials for structural health monitoring

W. Lance Richards, Dong Gun Lee, Anthony Piazza, Anna K. Stewart, Gregory P. Carman

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Proceedings Volume 5390, Smart Structures and Materials 2004: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540151
Event: Smart Structures and Materials, 2004, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

This paper presents comprehensive studies on sensor performance of an embedded Extrinsic Fabry Perot Interferometer (EFPI) fiber optic strain sensor in an aerospace grade composite system to support fiber optic smart structures (FOSS) development for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) System. A major portion of this study is focused on establishing the accuracy of the embedded EFPI sensors in a graphite epoxy composite material system at different stress levels under quasi-static loading conditions. The NASA Dryden calibrated EFPI's were used for accurate measurements. Two collocated surface-mounted strain gages and a calibrated surface-mounted EFPI sensor are used to validate the calibrated embedded EFPI sensor. Experimental results suggest that once calibrated, the embedded and surface-mounted EFPI sensors provide robust, reliable and accurate measurement for values up to ~5,400 με higher than sensor's durability limit ~3,000 με at 10⁶ cycles. This validation provides evidence that the sensing information emanating from FOSS can be used to monitor accurate health information.

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W. Lance Richards, Dong Gun Lee, Anthony Piazza, Anna K. Stewart, and Gregory P. Carman "Characterization of embedded fiber optic sensors in advanced composite materials for structural health monitoring", Proc. SPIE 5390, Smart Structures and Materials 2004: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems, (26 July 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540151

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