Determination of dynamic strain profile and delamination detection of composite structures using embedded multiplexed fibre-optic sensors

This paper studies the dynamic strain measurement and delamination detection of clamped–clamped composite structures using embedded multiplexed Fibre-optic Bragg grating (FBG) sensors through experimental and theoretical approaches. A dynamic strain calibration of the FBG sensors and surface mounted strain gauges to find out the correlation between the strain and photovoltage is reported. The embedded FBG sensors were used to measure the natural frequency and dynamic strain of intact and delaminated composite structures. The strain profile of these structures subjected to external excitations was evaluated by using experimental measured data and a modified vibration theory. The results revealed that the use of the embedded FBG sensors is able to actually measure the dynamic strain and identify the existence of delamination of the structures. This allows the continuous estimation of fatigue life and minimises the need of in-site inspection of the structures.     

光纤布拉格光栅监测复合材料固化

复合材料层合板在固化成型过程中形成的残余应变和应力是影响材料质量的重要因素,它与预浸料铺层在固化工艺过程中产生的应变密切相关。在研究和测试了光纤布拉格光栅应变和温度传感器传感特性的基础上,将二者埋入复合材料预浸料铺层,在热压釜成型工艺过程中监测了材料内部的温度和应变发展历程,由此获得对称正交层合板的宏观残余应变。监测结果表明,单向和对称正交层合板在固化结束后都将产生收缩,对称正交层合板铺层内的残余应变平行于纤维方向为压应变,垂直于纤维方向为拉应变。光纤光栅传感器为复合材料固化监测及层合板残余应力分析提供了一种新的工具,为实现复合材料从制造到服役的全寿命、一体化监测提供了可能。      

Bragg intragrating structural sensing

When a fiber-optic intracore Bragg grating is subject to an appreciable strain gradient, its reflective spectrum will not only be shifted but also be distorted because of the chirp of the grating. We employed the J-matrix formalism to calculate the influence of different strain gradients on the reflective spectra of Bragg gratings and have undertaken experiments to test these calculations. The results of these experiments have confirmed that intracore Bragg gratings can be used to evaluate strain gradients and can be thought of as quasi-distributed strain sensors. This adds a new dimension to structural sensing, permitting measurements in any situation where strain gradients exist. It also provides a warning of any sensor/host debonding.     

光纤Bragg光栅传感检测组合结构的断裂损伤

采用光纤Bragg光栅(FBG)传感器对钢-混凝土组合桥面板模型由加载产生的滑移、掀起(脱空)和裂缝三类损伤进行检测。试验经历了静载、300万次循环疲劳加载和破坏三个阶段。结果表明在静载和疲劳试验阶段未出现滑移、掀起和纵向裂缝,传感器测得FBG布控处的混凝土应变值。破坏阶段中,组合结构相继出现裂缝、滑移和掀起损坏,利用FBG传感器测到发生此三种损坏的临界应变值并追踪其发展。结果表明:光纤Bragg光栅(FBG)传感器能够检测组合结构的断裂损伤,并追踪其发生发展的全过程。该技术对组合结构的健康检测和优化设计是很有用的。     

基于内埋光纤Bragg光栅传感器的复合材料固化过程监测

为了全面了解复合材料的固化特性,在对碳纤维增强树脂基复合材料固化变形进行数值仿真分析的基础上,将自行设计的光纤Bragg光栅（FBG）传感器埋入复合材料中,实时在线监测复合材料固化过程中温度和应变的演变。预浸料铺层方式为[0₁₁/90₁₁],分别在层合板0°和45°方向的典型位置埋入FBG温度和应变传感器,采用热模压方式固化成型复合材料层合板,并对成型后的层合板进行连续2次降温处理,实时记录固化过程中FBG传感器中心波长的变化。结果表明:在相同的温度条件下,复合材料在第1次降温初始阶段的压应变绝对值明显小于在第2次降温初始阶段的压应变绝对值,表明复合材料在第1次降温过程中仍在进行FBG传感器可检的“后固化”反应;此外,层合板变形的FBG传感器监测数据与有限元模拟结果吻合良好。因此,采用内埋FBG传感器的方法能够实时监测复合材料固化过程,为更全面地分析复合材料固化特性提供了一种可靠有效的方法。      

基于FBG传感技术的复合材料T型加筋板低速冲击损伤监测

针对碳纤维增强树脂复合材料低速冲击损伤的实时监测,设计将布拉格光纤光栅（FBG）传感器埋植在复合材料T型加筋板结构的三角填充区,在线监测复合材料T型加筋板冲击损伤过程。分别将FBG传感器埋植于复合材料层合板内部和复合材料T型加筋板的三角填充区,对比FBG传感器的埋入对复合材料层合板和复合材料T型加筋板力学性能的影响。结果表明,内埋FBG传感器的复合材料层合板试样的拉伸强度比未埋植传感器的层合板试样降低了约5%,但在FBG传感器的破坏应变范围内,FBG传感器可以准确、实时地监测复合材料的应变信号。将FBG传感器埋入复合材料T型加筋板的三角填充区,内埋FBG传感器的T型加筋板样件压缩破坏载荷与未埋植的样件基本一致。通过对比T型加筋板蒙皮上冲击位置、冲击能量对FBG传感器测得的冲击过程持续时间和最大应变值的影响,表明冲击过程持续时间随着冲击能量增大而延长,最大应变值随着冲击距离的增加呈下降趋势,而最大应变值随着冲击能量的增大呈上升趋势。利用FBG传感器测得的应变信号可初步实现对复合材料T型加筋板蒙皮冲击损伤位置及冲击能量的实时监测。      

Strain monitoring in composite-strengthened concrete structures using optical fibre sensors

In this paper, the mechanical behaviour of the composite-strengthened concrete structures is addressed. Optical fibre sensor presents a great deal of potential in monitoring the structural health condition of civil infrastructure elements after strengthening by externally bonded composite materials. The use of embedded optical fibre sensor for strain and temperature monitoring enables to reveal the status of the composite-strengthened structure in real-time remotely. In this paper, an experimental investigation on the composite-strengthened concrete structures with the embedment of fibre-optic Bragg grating (FBG) sensors is presented. Single- and multiplexed-point strain measuring techniques were used to measure strains of the structures. Frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) method was used to measure strains in different points of the structure with using only one single optical fibre. All strains measured from the sensors were compared to conventional surface mounted strain gauges. Experimental results show that the use of the embedded FBG sensor can measure strain accurately and provide information to the operator that the structure is subjected to debond or micro-crack failure. Multiplexed FBG strain sensors enable to measure strain in different locations by occupying only one tiny optical fibre. Reduction of strength in composite laminate is resulted if the embedded optical fibre is aligned perpendicular to the load-bearing direction of the structure.     

热残余应力对内埋光纤光栅传感器性能的影响

将布拉格光纤光栅(FBG)埋植于复合材料T型加筋板结构非干涉区—三角填充区作为应变传感器对复合材料加筋板在固化过程及冲击后压缩过程中的应变变化进行监测。对比了光纤刻栅区采用UV光固化树脂涂层保护和未保护的两种FBG传感器的波谱信号变化; 分析了复合材料在固化成型过程中产生的非轴对称热残余应力对FBG传感性能的影响。结果表明, 刻栅区采用聚合物涂层保护的FBG传感器的半峰宽(FWHM)在固化过程中未发生变化, 并且聚合物涂层可以有效地消除非轴对称热残余应力对光纤光栅反射波谱的影响。在冲击后压缩过程中, 采用聚合物涂层保护的FBG传感器测得的应变与贴于试样表面的应变片测得的应变数据一致性较好。本文对埋植于复合材料加筋板三角填充区的FBG传感器在复合材料固化过程及冲击后压缩过程中应变监测的有效性及可靠性进行了有益的探索。     

纤维复合材料层合板内埋光纤光栅传感器的保护技术

内埋的光纤Bragg光栅（FBG）传感器的存活率及测试精度是其在线监测纤维增强树脂基复合材料制备和服役状态的重要前提。采用[90₁₁/0₁₁]的碳纤维预浸料铺层方式,在层合板0°和45°方向的典型位置埋入FBG温度和应变传感器,采用模压成型工艺制备复合材料层合板。在异向铺排（光纤光栅方向与碳纤维方向不同）的45°方向光纤光栅传感器内埋于碳纤维预浸料层间的过程中,对其采用4种不同的保护方式。通过对比实验结果发现:当对异向铺排的FBG传感器不采取保护措施时,在加热加压复合材料时光纤光栅容易失活;整层铺设同向预浸料以保护异向铺排的FBG传感器的方式改变了具有特定铺层参数复合材料的力学性能;采用窄长条同向预浸料上下包埋保护FBG传感器的方式增大了应变光栅测量结果的系统误差;采用窄长条同向预浸料上下包埋并在邻近铺层开凹槽的保护方式能明显提高内埋光纤光栅的存活率及测试精度。      

基于倾斜光纤光栅的传感解调技术

该文设计了一种基于倾斜光纤光栅（tilted fiber Bragg grating,TFBG）的不受温度影响的光纤布拉格光栅（fiber Brag ggrating,FBG）应变解调系统．将倾斜光纤光栅用作边沿痣波器,当周围环境温度变化时,利用倾斜光纤光栅纤芯模与包层模的温度特性与普通光纤布拉格光栅相同这一特点,无需另加温度补偿,就可以实现FBG应变传感的动态解调,消除温度噪声对应变信号的影响．由实验可知,当温度在25℃到39℃范围变化时,解调系统的性能基本不发生改变,解调范围达到6nm．     

The energy class discrimination of low velocity impacts on composite material structure by Bragg grating sensor technique

The low velocity impacts (LVI) often bring damages which cannot be detected from surface of composite material smart structure. In this paper, Bragg grating sensors were used to discriminate energy classes of LVI on composite material smart structure under constant temperature. The energy discrimination was realized by means of this characteristic that the center wave-lengths of Bragg grating sensors on composite structure under LVI are determined by strain. By analyzing the frequency spectrums of LVI signals captured by optic fiber grating demodulator, a threshold for distinguishing energy classes can be figured out after calculating frequency spectrum peak values of all energy classes. The experimental results indicate that Bragg grating sensors can be used for monitoring impacts and discriminate the energy classes of LVI on composite material structure.     

Characterization of microscopic damage in composite laminates and real-time monitoring by embedded optical fiber sensors

First, a methodology for observation and modeling of microscopic damage evolution in quasi-isotropic composite laminates is presented. Based on the damage observation using both an optical microscope and a soft X-ray radiography, a damage mechanics analysis is conducted to formulate the stiffness change due to transverse cracking. Then, both energy and stress criteria are combined to provide a valid procedure to predict the transverse crack evolution. The theoretical prediction is found to agree well with the experimental results for the transverse crack density as a function of strain as well as stress–strain curves. Then, another methodology is introduced using two kinds of embedded optical fiber sensors to detect and monitor the transverse crack evolution in composite laminates. One is plastic optical fibers (POF), where the loss in optical power is generated by local deformation of POF due to transverse cracking. The other is fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, where the local strain distribution within the FBG gage length due to transverse cracking alters the power spectrum of the light reflected from the FBG sensors. Embedded optical fiber sensors are found to be a powerful method to detect and monitor the transverse crack evolution in composite laminates.     

Crack tip identification with long FBG sensors in mixed-mode delamination

The uncertainty of the crack tip position inside composite coupons during a delamination test under variable fracture mode conditions reduces the accuracy of the experimental results. In this work a method is presented where the crack tip position is located using long embedded Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors together with the Optical Low Coherence Reflectometry (OLCR) technique. With this technique the local Bragg wavelength is measured which then enables to calculate the axial strain profile within the grating. Carbon/epoxy samples are tested under different mode ratios through the standard Mixed-Mode Bending (MMB) test. Embedded long FBG sensors are used to measure the axial strain profile along the whole grating at different stages of the test. The crack tip can be precisely identified with the long embedded FBGs and then checked by means of a visual inspection after complete delamination of the sample. The data indicate that the long FBG sensor detects the crack tip inside the sample at least as precisely as the traditionally performed visual inspections carried out during the test by means of the lateral markings. Numerical simulations using cohesive elements are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

复合材料胶层光纤布格光栅应变监测优化配置研究

航空航天用复合材料粘接胶层在制造和服役过程中不可避免会产生各种缺陷和损伤。针对其粘接胶层缺陷和损伤检测,基于光纤光栅应变传感原理,提出一种针对复合材料胶接层结构应变监测的光纤光栅传感网络优化配置的方法。通过仿真和实验研究了埋入复合材料构件胶接层的光纤布拉格光栅传感器在静载作用下的敏感区域分布特性,分析了载荷位移与布拉格波长漂移的关系,建立符合光纤布拉格光栅传感器实际特点的探测模型,采用粒子群优化算法进行光纤光栅传感网络的优化布置,研究结果表明光纤布拉格光栅传感器位置经优化后,覆盖率得到明显提高。     

Low energy impact damage monitoring of composites using dynamic strain signals from FBG sensors - Part I: Impact detection and localization

Fiber reinforced composite materials risk to suffer from subsurface, barely visible, damage induced by transverse relatively low energy impacts. This two-paper series presents a method for the localization of an impact and identification of an eventual damage using dynamic strain signals from fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. In this paper, the localization method allowing to predict the impact position based on interpolation of a reference data set is developed and validated. The data utilized in the method are the arrival times of the asymmetric zero order Lamb waves at the different sensors. A high rate interrogation method based on intensity modulation of the Bragg wavelength shift is used to acquire the FBG signals. The localization method allows to predict the impact position with a good accuracy and therefore the inspection of the laminate can be limited to this region.     

Assessment of the strain monitoring reliability of fiber Bragg grating sensor (FBGs) in advanced composite structures

Fiberoptic Bragg grating sensors were embedded in composite structures in order to be used as the detection system for structural health monitoring purposes. Firstly, optical fibers had been embedded in several locations in between the layers of composite material and for the typical tensile testing coupon configuration. It has been shown experimentally and with finite element analysis that embedding the optical fiber out of the neutral axis of the coupon, downgrades significantly the composite’s ultimate tensile strength. Secondly, a composite patch with embedded FBG has been used to restore a typical damage case on aluminum structure currently applied on advanced ‘aging’ vehicles. Data values taken from the FBG system during the experimental tension tests of the composite structures were calculated to axial strain values with the aid of an interrogator. Theoretical axial strain values of the composite patch had been calculated by exploiting a newly-developed finite element model. Discussion has been made on the correlation between experimental and theoretical results for the verification of sensing sensitivity and accuracy.     

基于双模LPFG折射率不敏感双参量传感器

环境折射率和环境温度变化是影响光纤应变测量误差的主要因素.本文利用双模光纤纤芯双模式(LP01和LP11)支持特性设计了一款环境折射率不敏感的双模光纤(DMF)长周期光纤光栅LPFG)应变传感器.设计了传感器模型结构,制作了最优化参数的传感器样品.实验测试了DMF-LPFG传感结构对外部环境中应变、温度和折射率的响应....     

纳米坐标测量机的三维接触式测头机构

介绍了一种新型的用于纳米坐标测量机的三维微纳米接触触发式测头机构.本测头以灵敏度高、抗干扰性强的布拉格光纤光栅(FBG)为测量的敏感元件,根据FBG对轴向应变变化敏感的特点,开发了一套有效触发测量力小的柔性悬架机构,该机构为三悬丝-六边中心连接体的悬架结构,相间隔的3边延伸悬臂与3根布拉格光纤光栅相连,当测球发生预行程变化时,由测杆带动柔性悬架机构产生偏摆,从而带动3根FBG发生轴向的拉伸或压缩,进而产生传感信号的输出.由于测头结构复位性是衡量测球和工件分离后能否回到初始位置的标准,是测头其他各项指标的基础,因此结合激光干涉仪和精密微动平台,采用光学非接触干涉测量方法对该测头机构的实际复位性能进行了测量.结果表明,测头系统采用15 N的预紧力安装悬丝,可得到较好的复位性和灵敏度,该测头机构复位性精度在20 nm以内,满足微纳米量级高精度测量的需要.     

Low energy impact damage monitoring of composites using dynamic strain signals from FBG sensors - Part II: Damage identification

In part I of this two-paper series, a method for the localization of an impact using dynamic strain signals from fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors is presented. In this paper, an inverse numerical-experimental method allowing to identify the damage based on experimentally measured eigenfrequency changes is developed and validated. The damage identification is limited to a region in the vicinity of the impact position predicted by the localization method. The eigenfrequency changes are determined experimentally from dynamic strain signals obtained with embedded FBG sensors and the parameters of a homogenized damage model are adjusted to fit the numerical results to the experimental data.     

Study on the curing process for carbon/epoxy composites to reduce thermal residual stress

In this work, a cure monitoring system using dielectrometry and a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor, was devised to measure the dissipation factor and thermal residual stress of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composite materials. Three rapid-cooling points, which were based on the cure initiation point, were chosen as test variables to investigate the effect of cure cycle on process-induced internal strain. The internal strains generated in the composite specimens were measured using embedded FBG sensors. Three-point bending tests were conducted to investigate the effect of thermal residual stress on the flexural strength of the composite specimens.