Utilisation of optimised optical fibres for structural health monitoring

Structural health monitoring (SHM) of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite structures has become paramount in aerospace industry in recent years. With advances in research and innovation, this can be achieved in real time by surface mounting or embedding the optical fibres into the structure to be monitored. Optical fibres are paramount for SHM, but exhibit drawbacks such as brittleness and low strain limit. These drawbacks can be resolved by micro-braiding the optical fibre, with the compatible high performance fibres.
The effect of embedding micro-braided optical fibre on the structural integrity and mechanical performance of glass fibre-epoxy composite has been investigated and has been compared with the conventional optical fibres using three point flexural tests. It was observed that the flexural property of the composite was not affected by the presence of micro-braided optical fibre.
Three point flexural tests were also performed on glass fibre-epoxy composites by surface mounting of micro-braided and conventional optical fibres respectively and the results were compared. The strain measured was also correlated with help of strain gauge. The results from the investigation carried out will be presented and discussed.