Strain measurement in a concrete beam by use of the Brillouin-scattering-based distributed fiber sensor with single-mode fibers embedded in glass fiber reinforced polymer rods and bonded to steel reinforcing bars

The strain measurement of a 1.65-m reinforced concrete beam by use of a distributed fiber strain sensor with a 50-cm spatial resolution and 5-cm readout resolution is reported. The strain-measurement accuracy is +/-15 microepsilon (microm/m) according to the system calibration in the laboratory environment with non-uniform-distributed strain and +/-5 microepsilon with uniform strain distribution. The strain distribution has been measured for one-point and two-point loading patterns for optical fibers embedded in pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rods and those bonded to steel reinforcing bars. In the one-point loading case, the strain deviations are +/-7 and +/-15 microepsilon for fibers embedded in the GFRP rods and fibers bonded to steel reinforcing bars, respectively, whereas the strain deviation is +/-20 microepsilon for the two-point loading case.     

Polarimetric distributed feedback fiber laser sensor for simultaneous strain and temperature measurements

We report the application of a dual polarization distributed feedback (DFB) fiber laser as a strain and temperature sensor. By measurement of the absolute wavelength of one polarization as well as the polarization beat frequency, strain and temperature were determined simultaneously. The sensor has an accuracy of +3 microepsilon and +/-0.04 degrees C. Self-heating of the DFB fiber laser as a function of pump power was measured with this sensor.     

Structural monitoring by use of a Brillouin distributed sensor

The testing of a fiber-optic distributed-strain sensor attached to a simple structural member is reported. A Brillouin scattering-based sensor system was used to measure both tensile and compressive strains along the length of a cantilever beam subjected to various loads. The sensing fiber was attached to the beam in such a way that some sections experienced uniform strain, whereas others were subjected to a nonuniform strain distribution. A spatial resolution of 0.4 m was used, and a measurement precision of approximately +/-50 microepsilon was achieved.     

Dynamic two-axis curvature measurement using multicore fiber Bragg gratings interrogated by arrayed waveguide gratings

We describe the use of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) in the interrogation of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) for dynamic strain measurement. The ratiometric AWG output was calibrated in a static deflection experiment over a +/-200 microepsilon range. Dynamic strain measurement was demonstrated with a FBG in a conventional single-mode fiber mounted on the surface of a vibrating cantilever and on a piezoelectric actuator, giving a resolution of 0.5 microepsilon at 2.4 kHz. We present results of this technique extended to measure the dynamic differential strain between two FBG pairs within a multicore fiber. An arbitrary cantilever oscillation of the multicore fiber was determined from curvature measurements in two orthogonal axes at 1125 Hz with a resolution of 0.05 m(-1).     

Dual temperature and strain measurement with the combined fluorescence lifetime and Bragg wavelength shift approach in doped optical fiber

We have constructed fiber-optic sensors to measure temperature and strain by combining the properties of fiber Bragg gratings with the fluorescent lifetimes of various doped fibers. Sensors have been made with the fiber Bragg grating written directly into the doped fiber to ensure the collocation of the strain and temperature measurement points. Results are compared with those obtained previously from a Bragg grating written into standard photosensitive fiber spliced to doped fiber. Standard deviation errors of 7 microepsilon and 0.8 degrees C have been obtained for strain and temperature ranges of up to 1860 microepsilon and 120 degrees C, respectively.     

Distributed-feedback fiber laser sensor for simultaneous strain and temperature measurements operating in the radio-frequency domain

Radio-frequency (rf) beat frequencies between two longitudinal modes and two polarization modes of a birefringent dual-longitudinal-mode moiré distributed-feedback fiber laser are employed to measure strain and temperature simultaneously. Operating entirely in the rf domain, this approach potentially allows one to employ low-cost and precise rf measuring techniques. A strain-temperature cross sensitivity of the strain- and the thermo-optic coefficients, which can be neglected in wavelength-based grating sensors, has been observed. The achieved sensor accuracy was +/-15 microepsilon and +/-0.2 degrees C.     

Single-Mode Birefringent Fiber Frequency-Modulated Continuous- Wave Interferometric Strain Sensor

A practical single-mode birefringent fiber strain sensor is demonstrated. The sensor is based on optical frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) interference and consists of three lengths of single-mode birefringent fiber. Two fibers are used as the leading fibers, while the third fiber that locates in the middle and has a 45$^{circ}$ rotation of principle axes is used as the strain sensing fiber. The strain is determined by measuring the phase shift of the beat signal produced by the two beams in the sensing fiber. The advantages of the sensor include high resolution, large dynamic range, long gauge length, long leading fibers, simple configuration, and immunity from the environmental influence.      

Simultaneous distributed strain and temperature measurement

Brillouin-scattering-based sensors are capable of measuring either the strain or the temperature along the length of an optical fiber in a distributed fashion through measurement of the Brillouin-frequency shift. The cross sensitivity of the frequency shift to these two parameters makes it impossible to differentiate between them by measurement of the frequency shift alone. We report on a new technique that permits the simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature to resolutions of +/-178 microepsilon and +/-3.9 degrees C at a spatial resolution of 3.5 m by incorporation of the Brillouin-loss peak power with the conventional Brillouin-frequency measurement.     

Distributed Brillouin sensor system based on offset locking of two distributed feedback lasers

An offset locking technique, which uses an external optical delay line to tune the distributed feedback (DFB) laser frequency and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller to lock the tuned frequency, is proposed for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, in the distributed Brillouin sensor system. This method provides large tuning range (greater than 1 GHz), high tuning speed (less than 100 mus per frequency step), and frequency tuning is independent of the laser frequency and power. The two DFB lasers are phase locked at the Brillouin frequency using a hardware PID controller. Using this offset locking with optical delay line, we demonstrated a high signal-to-noise ratio of 32 dB, which allows 1 m spatial resolution and better than 0.6 MHz frequency measurement accuracy (equivalent to 0.5 degrees C temperature resolution or 8 microepsilon strain resolution) over kilometers sensing length. The bias of the electro-optic modulator is controlled by a lock-in amplifier to provide high temperature or strain measurement accuracy.     

Method for angular alignment of birefringent fibers in fiber-opticpressure/strain measurement

A simple method for angular alignment of principal birefringence axes of a highly birefringent (HB) polarization-maintaining (PM) optical fiber is presented. The method is based on longitudinal strain-induced cross-coupling phenomena which occur in HB fibers and it can be straightforwardly applied to construct a fiber-optic pressure or strain sensor independent of disturbing thermal effects. The method is also particularly suitable for splicing birefringent fiber pigtails to laser diodes in all-fiber configuration for a fiber-optic pressure (strain) sensor     

Temperature-Independent Strain Sensor Based on a Hi-Bi Photonic Crystal Fiber Loop Mirror

This work presents an optical sensor based on a highly birefringent photonic crystal fiber (Hi-Bi PCF) loop mirror. The length of the sensing head is 380 mm and its corresponding wavelength spacing between two interferometer minima is 8 nm. The optical sensor was characterized in strain and in temperature with an uncoated Hi-Bi PCF and with an acrylate coated Hi-Bi PCF. Different results for strain and temperature sensitivity were obtained. Relatively to the strain measurement, the sensor with the uncoated Hi-Bi PCF presents slightly less sensitivity (1.11 ) when compared with coated Hi-Bi PCF (1.21 ). For the temperature measurement and with the uncoated Hi-Bi PCF, the optical sensor is insensitive to temperature (0.29 pm/K).     

Superstructured fiber-optic contact force sensor with minimal cosensitivity to temperature and axial strain

In this work a new superstructured, in-fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based, contact force sensor is presented that is based on birefringent D-shape optical fiber. The sensor superstructure comprises a polyimide sheath, a stress-concentrating feature, and an alignment feature that repeatably orients the sensor with respect to contact forces. A combination of plane elasticity and strain-optic models is used to predict sensor performance in terms of sensitivity to contact force and axial strain. Model predictions are validated through experimental calibration and indicate contact force, axial strain, and temperature sensitivities of 169.6 pm/(N/mm), 0.01 pm/με, and -1.12 pm/°C in terms of spectral separation. The sensor addresses challenges associated with contact force sensors that are based on FBGs in birefringent fiber, FBGs in conventional optical fiber, and tilted FBGs. Relative to other birefringent fiber sensors, the sensor has contact force sensitivity comparable to the highest sensitivity of commercially available birefringent fibers and, unlike other birefringent fiber sensors, is self-aligning with respect to contact forces. Unlike sensors based on Bragg gratings in conventional fiber and tilted Bragg gratings, the sensor has minimal cosensitivity to both axial strain and changes in temperature.     

An optical device for measuring bending strain to 5000 microstrain and compatible with optical fiber installations

An optical sensor is described which can be attached to a structure and used as a gage for measuring bending strain. This device can be adjusted to maximize the gage factor for predetermined strain ranges. The sensor consists of glass capillaries coated on the outer surfaces with an optical absorbing layer followed by a reflecting layer. A mechanical strengthening layer can be included to extend the range of strain response. A source laser beam from an optical fiber is injected into one end of the gage. The light remaining in the beam after traveling through the gage is collected via another optical fiber. The optically active layer is adjusted during manufacture to provide a predetermined gage factor. For a given thickness of the absorber layer, the detected light is proportional to the amount of bending. Thus, by rigidly affixing the sensor to a structural member, the strain experienced by the member can be monitored.     

大型结构应变场光纤分布监测系统

研究了一种用于大型工程结构应变、变形状态监测的基于光时域反射技术的分布式光纤应变传感系统。设计了一种新型的光纤微弯传感器结构,用于对沿传感光纤分布各测量点的应变信息进行提取;在此新结构的基础上,了全光纤型应变传感器串行阵列,以对构件应变测量和安全监测为主要目标,建立了起了分布光纤应变实时监测系统,进行了系统实验了得到了良好的结构。     

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....     

Absolute strain measurements made with fiber bragg grating sensors

A strain sensor system based on optical fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) is proposed with a new matched-filter design. The strain variation on the sensor FBG is continuously followed and matched by a filter FBG by use of a feedback control loop that produces an identical strain condition on the filter FBG. The matched strain on the filter FBG is then determined from the resonance vibration of the fiber piece embedding the filter FBG. The implementation and the performance of the proposed system are described. It is demonstrated that the proposed system can distinguish strain variation on the sensor FBG with resolution of one microstrain.     

Demodulation of fiber bragg grating sensors based on dynamic tuning of a multimode laser diode

Dither demodulation of fiber Bragg grating sensors illuminated with multimode light from laser diodes is theoretically and experimentally investigated. Quasi-static temperature and strain sensitivities of 0.09 degrees C/ radical Hz and 0.6 microepsilon/ radical Hz are obtained. We show that it is possible to measure small ac signals that lie outside the feedback loop bandwidth by using a synchronous detection referenced to twice the dither frequency. In this situation, dynamic strain sensitivity of 3.3 n(epsilon)/ radical Hz is achieved.     

Selection of Optical Fibers Paths and Sensor Locations for Monitoring the Integrity of Composite Patching

In order to select appropriate optical fiber paths and locations for Bragg Grating sensors, the research group has studied a classically cracked metallic structure repaired with a smart bonded composite patch using finite element analysis. The patch was bonded over a cracked aluminum plate by means of a thin adhesive layer. The primary loading axis of the metal was assumed parallel to the direction of the optical fibers used. A variety of optical fiber paths and sensor positions was considered, along with their ability to measure the developed strain field and to trace the position of the crack tip. It was concluded that a fiber optics network is indeed capable of tracing effectively the critical parameters required for the monitoring of structural integrity of the composite patch-reinforced structures (i.e. strains developed at the patch and at the tip of the crack). It was found that at least two Bragg Grating sensors should be used at each side of the crack per optical fiber, in order to enable adequate monitoring of the strain field and the position of the crack tip. Different locations should be chosen according to the configuration of the patch (one or two-sided).     

Brillouin Sensing Cable: Design and Experimental Validation

We report on the design and experimental validation of a distributed Brillouin-based optical fiber sensor embedded into concrete structures for temperature and strain measurement. A composite-made wave-like coating designed by finite-element analysis ensures the sensor is transferring optimally temperature and strain fields from the concrete to the optical fiber, where Brillouin scattering takes place. During all experiments, sensors have been interrogated with a commercially available Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometer unit. First, temperature sensitivity of the Brillouin frequency shift were evaluated in PANDA and SMF28 optical fibers, before wrapping them into the specific sheath for embedment into a 3 m-long reinforced concrete beam. Temperature measurements during concrete beam casting agreed with reference measurements, and showed the significant sensor coating influence. A month later, strain measurements performed during a four-point bending experiment showed promising results: linearity and reliability of measurements were demonstrated, under tensile as well as compressive loadings.     

Multiplexed Fiber Bragg Grating Interrogation System Using a Microelectromechanical Fabry–Perot Tunable Filter

This paper describes a fiber Bragg grating strain sensor interrogation system based on a microelectromechanical systems tunable Fabry–Perot filter. The shift in the Bragg wavelength due to strain applied to a sensor fiber is detected by means of a correlation algorithm which was implemented on an embedded digital signal processor. The instrument has a 70 nm tuning range, allowing multiple strain sensors to be multiplexed on the same fiber. The performance of the interrogator was characterized using an optical fiber containing six grating strain sensors embedded in a fiberglass test specimen. The measured root mean square (RMS) strain error was 1.5 microstrain, corresponding to a 1.2 pm RMS error in the estimated wavelength shift. Strain measurements are produced with an update rate of 39 samples/s.