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A multiplexed optical fibre-based extrinsic Fabry-Perot sensor system for in-situ strain monitoring in composites

Liu, Tonguy, Wu, M. Q., Rao, Yun Jiang, Jackson, David A., Fernando, Gerard F. (1998) A multiplexed optical fibre-based extrinsic Fabry-Perot sensor system for in-situ strain monitoring in composites. Smart Materials & Structures, 7 (4). pp. 550-556. ISSN 0964-1726. (doi:10.1088/0964-1726/7/4/016) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:17424)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/7/4/016

Abstract

The detection of impact damage in fibre reinforced composites is of significant concern because such damage can reduce the load-bearing ability of the composite. A number of factors can influence the nature and extent of impact damage development in composites including: (a) the type of reinforcing fibre and resin system; (b) the magnitude of the residual (fabrication) stresses; (c) the lay-up sequence; and (d) other factors such as the nature of the impactor, impact velocity, impact energy, temperature, moisture content in the composites, etc. From a structural health monitoring point of view, it is necessary to investigate the distribution of damage through the thickness of the composite. This paper reports on a simple, partially multiplexed optical fibre strain sensor system for in-situ strain and residual strain measurements in a carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite. An extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) sensor design was used along with single-mode fibres. The multiplexing scheme was based on wavelength division via the use of two super luminescent diodes (SLDs) at different wavelengths. A low-cost fibre optic CCD spectrometer was used as the detector. The multiplexing scheme was demonstrated using two EFPI sensors. In principle, a number of EFPI sensors can be multiplexed using the proposed scheme provided that each sensor is illuminated at a specified and different wavelength. The feasibility of detecting the residual strain in the composite was demonstrated successfully at two specified positions within a 16-ply carbon fibre reinforced composite panel. Preliminary results indicated that the sensor system was also capable of detecting the effects of a 3.2 J impact. Excellent correlation was obtained between the EFPI sensor output and that obtained using surface mounted strain gauges.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1088/0964-1726/7/4/016
Subjects: Q Science
T Technology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: M.A. Ziai
Date Deposited: 03 Apr 2009 01:07 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:55 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/17424 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Rao, Yun Jiang.

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Jackson, David A..

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