A simple interrogation system for semi-distributed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor array with a tunable pulsed laser is
demonstrated. The pulsed light source is used to discriminate, in space or in time, the FBG position. The sensor array can
then be constituted with low reflectivity FBG (<5%) and with the same wavelength (the FBGs have to be spatially
separated). This improvement increases the capacity of the tunable pulsed laser system interrogation, which can reach up
to 1000 sensors in one single fiber. The signals are measured with only one photodetection system, which makes
detection less dependent of intensity variations and minimizes external influences on the circuit, such as variations in the
environment temperature. A test approach has been assembled for the interrogation of five sensors in the same fiber,
varying its reflectivity from 0.8% to 1.6% and with the same nominal wavelength.
Thorough the last two decades, oil and gas reservoirs discovered and developed in deep and ultra deep waters have
continuously posed challenges to petroleum exploration and production activities in offshore basins. Maintaining
optimum flow rates of oil and gas from subsea wellheads to surface processing facilities demands new technological
solutions for petroleum companies operating in such frontiers. Integrity assurance of structures, equipment, and
flow lines plays a major role in maximizing offshore production systems availability while at the same time keeping
safety, operational, and environmental risks at minimum levels. In this scenario, implementation of permanent
health monitoring solutions must take into account the environment of oil and gas production facilities, where
installations in hazardous classified areas require explosion and fire-proof instrumentation. In this context, optical
fiber sensors offer an attractive alternative to electrical sensing technologies, which, until now, have been the
primary choice by maintenance personnel at offshore production units.
This paper reports results of the application of a simple technique that explores the use of piezoelectric actuators and sensors to monitor the growth of surface breaking defects in beams. The method consists in exciting the structure with piezoelectric actuators, subjected to either a single frequency or broad-band signal, while recording the electromechanical response of sensors placed close to the defect. Piezoelectric sensors detect the damage growth by monitoring changes in the dynamic strain field induced by the actuator near the defect. The performance of this methodology was assessed through experiments in beams containing surface breaking fatigue cracks or machined slots. Results have shown that the choice of adequate parameters, such as sensor size and its distance to the crack edge, allows the detection of small changes in defect depth. Finite element simulations were also performed to determine a correlation between sensor response, sensor location, and damage size. Results from tests performed in a three-dimensional framed structure are also presented.
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