Fiber optic Bragg gratings packaged in long gage configurations are being used to measure static and dynamic strain in structures and structural models to monitor structural health and predict damage incurred from a seismic event. These long gage sensors are being used to experimentally verify analytical models of post-earthquake evaluation based on system identification analysis. This fiber optic deformation measurement system could play a significant role in monitoring/recording with a higher level of completeness the actual seismic response of structures and in non-destructive seismic damage assessment techniques based on dynamic signature analysis. This new sensor technology will enable field measurements of the response of real structures to real earthquakes with the same or higher level of detail/resolution as currently in structural testing under controlled laboratory conditions.
Fiber optic grating sensors written into polarization preserving optical fiber may be used to monitor multidimensional strain fields in composite materials. This paper provides an overview of the characterization and test of multiaxis fiber grating sensors formed by writing 1300 and 1550 nm fiber gratings into polarization preserving optical fiber. A discussion of the usage of these multiaxis fiber grating sensors to measure two and three dimensional strain fields will be made. A brief review of practical applications of the technology to measure shear strain, transverse strain gradients as well as axial and traverse strain will be made with emphasis on aerospace and civil structure applications.
Previously, the results of embedding multi-axis fiber gratings into adhesively bonded joints were discussed. This paper presents more information on the testing of the adhesive joints and techniques employed to successfully embed a fiber grating sensor into such structures. These techniques include orienting the fiber, marking its orientation, and preparing it for embedment into the adhesive. Also discussed are strain relief methods for the egress of the fiber.
Fiber grating strain sensors offer a means to monitor the health of highways and bridges as well as a means to monitor vehicular traffic patterns and critical data such as speed, weight, and classification of vehicle types. This paper overviews recent results associated with employing very high speed demodulation systems with capabilities in excess of 10 kHz and strain sensitivities on the order of one microstrain. It is clearly shown that this type of system can be used as an effective traffic monitoring tool as well as for health monitoring purposes.
Most fiber grating sensor technology that has been developed to support strain sensing involves the measurement of axial strain. Fiber grating sensors are however capable of monitoring transverse as well as axial strain. This paper reviews a series of applications of this technology that are of particular interest to aerospace applications.
For many structural applications it is highly desirable to be able to measure two or more axes of strain at a single point. In many cases one dimensional strain measurements may be insufficient to fully characterize events or lead to erroneous predictions. This paper will provide an overview of the use of multi-axis fiber grating strain sensors to perform structural diagnostics. Examples of usage of multi-axis fiber grating strain sensors in a smart bearing cell for damage assessment of bridges and for adhesive joints associated with aircraft will be given as illustrations of these methods.
Twenty-eight fiber-grating sensors were used to instrument two reinforced concrete beams that were externally strengthened with composites on the historic Horsetail Falls Bridge in the Columbia River Gorge. Sensor assemblies were placed in the beams and mounted on the outside of the composite to provide performance data.
Fiber optic sensors have the potential to be used in the very hostile environments necessary for advanced aerospace platforms. This paper reviews some of the key issues associated with the implementation of distributed fiber optic sensors in harsh environments and outlines baseline system designs.
For very high-speed events, such as ballistics testing, strain measurement speed is not limited by the response of the fiber grating sensor, but rather the demodulation system used. This paper focuses on a current 10 kHz fiber grating demodulator used to support impact and ballistics testing of a composite panel. It also explores the next generation demodulator, pushing the emits of speed upwards of 3 Mhz.
There are several applications in the area of traffic monitoring and control as well as road condition monitoring where fiber optic based sensor systems are advantageous. This study focuses on the use of fiber optic sensors to monitor the strain state in structures. This monitoring accomplishes two main tasks: it assesses the health of the structure and provides useful data for traffic monitoring/control applications.
Twenty-eight fiber-grating sensors were used to instrument two reinforced concrete beams that were externally strengthened with composites on the historic Horsetail Falls Bridge in the Columbia River Gorge. Sensor assemblies were placed in the beams and mounted on the outside of the composite to provide performance data.
As proliferation of structures incorporating composite materials occurs, the benefits of in-situ monitoring of the building materials in order to increase reliability and improve maintainability of the overall structure are being recognized. For example, measurement of shear-strain and load within bridge bearings can be directly related to the health and longevity of the structure. In this paper, the embedding of single and multi-axis optical fiber strain sensors within liquid molded load cells for structures such as bridges is reported. Fabrication and testing processes are presented, as well as test results.
The use of adhesive joints in aerospace structures is becoming increasingly important. From this, arises the problem of assessing joint integrity quickly, non- intrusively, accurately, and inexpensively. Current methods of assessing joint integrity, such as ultrasonics and x- rays, are time intensive and difficult to interpret. Blue Road Research's solution to monitoring adhesive joint integrity quickly and accurately is to embed non-intrusive, multidimensional optical fiber grating strain sensors into or adjacent to the joints. Aluminum double lap adhesive joints were instrumented with the multi-axis grating strain sensors into or adjacent to the joints. Aluminum double lap adhesive joints were instrumented with the multi-axis senors and subjected to tension and fatigue test. Each specimen contained one sensor located either near the bond, embedded at the edge of the bond, or embedded towards the inner bond area. The joints with senors embedded into the adhesive showed minimal strength degradation. Basically, the multiaxis fiber grating strain sensors were found to provide information about transverse strain, axial strain, and transverse strain gradients that can provide important information throughout the adhesive joint. By changing the orientation of the sensor, shear strain and its effects can be clearly measured.
By writing one or more fiber gratings onto birefringent optical fiber a multi-axis fiber grating is created that is capable of measuring transverse as well as axial strain. In addition to the measurement of transverse gradients it is possible to identify the axis and magnitude of transverse strain gradients. This allows detailed diagnostic of the interior of parts as they are being cured and after fabrication health monitoring systems capable of supporting the measurement of multidimensional strain fields.
This paper outlines improvements that have been made in a multiaxis fiber grating strain sensor that can also be used in certain cases to measure temperature. The current status and future prospects for these senors are outlined.
There are approximately 576,000 major bridges, 3.2 billion square feet of bridge deck, and 162,000 miles of highways making up a part of the civil infrastructure system in the United States. Fiber grating strain sensors have the ability to play an important role in the health monitoring of these structures. The advantages of fiber optic sensors including EMI resistance, unobtrusive size, multiplexing/distributed capabilities, and environmental ruggedness, make them a logical choice for structural monitoring.
A methodology is described for determining a relation (K- matrix) between wavelength shifts and (1) axial strain, (2) two transverse strains and (3) temperature change experienced by a multi-parameter Bragg grating sensor. The sensor is formed by writing gratings at two wavelengths in polarization maintaining fiber. The methodology is based on separate experimental calibrations of sensor response to transverse loading (diametral compression), axial loading and temperature changes. Strains produced in the core by the loadings or temperature changes used in the calibrations are determined by finite element analyses.
Multiaxis fiber grating based strain sensors can be formed by writing one of more fiber gratings onto polarization preserving birefringent optical fiber. This paper describes these fiber sensors, how they are characterized and efforts that are being made to make their utilization practical.
Fiber Bragg grating sensor systems have wide application in the area of civil structures. The advantages of fiber grating strain sensors over electrical strain gauges such as greatly reduced size, EMI resistance, and higher temperature capability make them ideal choices for smart structure applications. Some of these fiber grating sensor systems can measure or detect multiaxis strain, transverse strain, temperature, bridge scouring, ice, and traffic flow.
A low-cost high-speed demodulation system based on a fiber grating spectral filter has been developed to support strain and temperature sensing in composite panels. This system has also been used to support high-speed impacts on composite panels. This paper will describe the system, its current state of development, and some of the applications it is supporting.
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