Development of fiber optic strain sensor system for smart structure applications

Abstract

The main objective of the present research is to explore the use of optical fibers as sensors that can be embedded in composite material making it a smart material. A structure that incorporates smart materials in its design also becomes 'smart' as it can make use of built-in sensors to monitor its health, foretelling any impending failure. Optical fiber is basically a light carrying medium. However, as a result of external perturbation or disturbances, the light that passes through the optical fiber changes one or more of its characteristics or properties such as intensity, phase, state of polarization, wavelength or reflective index. As long as we are able to detect these changes and relate them to the changes of external perturbations we can transform the optical fiber into a sensor to detect those perturbations. The external perturbations can be applied load, temperature change, or environmental change.