Monitoring shear deformation of sliding zone via fiber Bragg grating and particle image velocimetry

Monitoring shear deformation of sliding zones is of great significance for understanding the landslide evolution mechanism,in which fiber optic strain sensing has shown great potential.However,the cor-relation between strain measurements of quasi-distributed fiber Bragg grating(FBG)sensing arrays and shear displacements of surrounding soil remains elusive.In this study,a direct shear model test was conducted to simulate the shear deformation of sliding zones,in which the soil internal deformation was captured using FBG strain sensors and the soil surface deformation was measured by particle image velocimetry(PIV).The test results show that there were two main slip surfaces and two secondary ones,developing a spindle-shaped shear band in the soil.The formation of the shear band was successfully captured by FBG sensors.A sinusoidal model was proposed to describe the fiber optic cable deformation behavior.On this basis,the shear displacements and shear band widths were calculated by using strain measurements.This work provides important insight into the deduction of soil shear deformation using soil-embedded FBG strain sensors.

Strain-Insensitive Fiber Bragg Grating Composite Structure for Wide-Range Temperature Sensing

This paper reports on the design,fabrication,and temperature strain sensing performance of a fiber Bragg grating composite structure for surface mounted temperature measurements over a wide temperature range,with highly reduced strain cross-sensitivity.The fiber Bragg grating sensor is encapsulated in a polyimide tube filled with epoxy resin,forming an arc-shaped cavity.This assembly is then placed between two layers of glass fiber prepreg with a flexible pad in between and cured into shape.Experimental results,supported by finite element simulations,demonstrate an enhanced temperature sensitivity is 26.3 pm/°C over a wide temperature range of–30°C to 70°C,and high strain transfer isolation of about 99.65%.

Multiwavelength Actively Mode-locked Fiber Laser with a Double-ring Configuration and Integrated Cascaded Sampled Fiber Bragg Gratings

A modified multiwavelength actively mode-locked fiber ring laser is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In this kind of laser, stable multiwavelengths lasing is achieved by integrating cascaded sampled fiber Bragg gratings(SFBGs) into the laser cavity. To implement actively mode-locking technique, a double-ring cavity configuration is used to assure that the cavity lengths for all wavelengths lasing are identical. Thus, simultaneous mode locking of all wavelengths has been successfully achieved by using the same mode-locking signal.

Fabrication of arbitrarily apodized fiber Bragg gratings with narrow bandwidth

A double-exposure fabrication method without any intensity shadow mask to fabricate arbitrarily apodized fiber Bragg gratings（ FBGs） with narrow bandwidth is demonstrated by controlling the total ultra violet （UV） irradiation along the grating by varying the speed of a translation stage. The UV source used is a stable continuous intracavity frequency-doubled argonion laser. The parameters （such as length, apodization profile, average index change）of FBGs can be easily changed with this method. The total UV irradiation is kept constant in the doubleexposure process because of the precise control of the exposure time, which ensures that the apodized FBG＇s bandwidth can be extremely narrow. The full width at half maximum （FWHM） bandwidth of the 2-cm-long apodized FBG fabricated by this method is 0. 15 nm with a maximum reflectivity of more than 95%.

Study on rock deformation monitoring using fiber Bragg grating in simulation experiment

Presented the fiber Bragg grating （FBG） sensors for rock strain monitoring in the 1.2 m long plane stress model of the simulation experiment. In the past, for the lack of appropriate technique to measure the deformation of rock structures, the measurement of deflection was restricted to just a few discrete points along rock, and the measuring points were limited to the location installed with displacement transducers. We developed a method to monitor the deformation of rock structures using fiber optical Bragg grating strain sensors. The sensors were embedded in rock layers of simulation experiment before the materials were put in. These sensors were then used to monitor the experienced strain with different face advancing distance. The test results indicate that, if properly installed, FBG sensors can survive under severe conditions associated with embedment process and yield accurate measurements of strains response. At the same time, we make comparisons of the data obtained by FBG sensors with those by centesimal gauge. The interest in FBG sensors was motivated by the potential advantages that they can offer more than existing sensing technologies.

An experimental study:Integration device of Fiber Bragg grating and reinforced concrete beam for measuring debris flow impact force

The impact effect of boulder within debris flow is the key factor contributing to peak impact as well as to the failure of debris flow control work. So accurate measuring and calculating the impact force of debris flow can ensure the engineering design strength. However, limited to the existing laboratory conditions and piezoelectric sensor performance, it is impossible, based on the conventional measurements, to devise a computing method for expressing a reliable boulder impact force. This paper has therefore designed a new measurement device according to the method of integrating Fiber Bragg grating(FBG) and reinforced concrete composite beam(RCB) for measuring the impact force of debris flows, i.e. mounting FBG on the axially stressed steel bar in the composite beam at regular intervals to monitor the steel strain. RCB plays the role of contacting debris flow and protecting FBG sensors. Taking this new device as the experimental object, drop testing is designed for simulating and reflecting the boulder impact force. In a series of impacting tests, the relationship between the peak dynamic strain value of the steel bar and the impact force is analyzed, and based on which, an inversion model that uses the steel bar strain as the independent variable is established for calculating the boulder impact force.The experimental results show that this new inversion model can determine the impact force value and its acting position with a system error of 18.1%, which can provide an experimental foundation for measuring the impact force of boulders within the debris flow by the new FBG-based device.

Advances in femtosecond laser direct writing of fiber Bragg gratings in multicore fibers:technology,sensor and laser applications

In this article,we review recent advances in the technology of writing fiber Bragg gratings(FBGs)in selected cores of multicore fibers(MCFs)by using femtosecond laser pulses.The writing technology of such a key element as the FBG opens up wide opportunities for the creation of next generation fiber lasers and sensors based on MCFs.The advantages of the technology are shown by using the examples of 3D shape sensors,acoustic emission sensors with spatially multiplexed channels,as well as multicore fiber Raman lasers.

Irradiation effect on strain sensitivity coefficient of strain sensing fiber Bragg gratings

The effect of irradiation on the strain sensitivity coefficient of strain sensing fiber Bragg gratings （FBGs） has been investigated through experiments. FBGs were fabricated in single mode fibers with 3 tool% Ge-concentration in the core and with a H2-1oading treatment. In experiments, the FBGs were subjected to y-radiation exposures using a Co6~ source at a dose-rate of 25 Gy/min up to a total dose of 10.5 kGy. The GeO defect in fiber absorbs photons to form a GeE＇ defect; the interaction with H2 is a probable reason for the y-radiation sensitivity of gratings written in hydrogen loaded fibres, The effect mechanism of radiation on the strain sensitivity coefficient is similar to that of radiation on the temperature sensitivity coefficient. Radiation affects the effective index neff, which results in the change of the thermo-optic coefficient and the strain-optic coefficient. Irradiation can change the strain sensitivity coefficient of FBGs by 1.48%-2.71%, as well as changing the Bragg wavelength shift （BWS） by 22 pm-25 pm under a total dose of 10.5 kGy. Our research demonstrates that the effect of irradiation on the strain sensitivity coefficient of FBG is small and that strain sensing FBGs can work well in the radiation environment.

Effectiveness of Fiber Bragg Grating monitoring in the centrifugal model test of soil slope under rainfall conditions

Centrifugal model testsare playing an increasingly importantrolein investigating slope characteristics under rainfall conditions. However, conventional electronic transducers usually fail during centrifugal model tests because of the impacts of limitedtest space, high centrifugal force, and presence of water, with the result that limited valid data is obtained. In this study, Fiber Bragg Grating(FBG) sensing technology is employed in the design and development of displacement gauge, an anchor force gauge and an anti-slide pile moment gauge for use on centrifugal model slopes with and without a retaining structure. The two model slopes were installed and monitored at a centrifugal acceleration of 100 g. The test results show that the sensors developed succeed in capturing the deformation and retaining structure mechanical response of the model slopes during and after rainfall. The deformation curvefor the slope without retaining structure shows a steepresponse that turns gradualfor the slope with retaining structure. Importantly, for the slope with the retaining structure, results suggest that more attention be paid to increase of anchor force and antislide pile moment during rainfall. This study verifies the effectiveness of FBG sensing technology in centrifuge research and presents a new and innovative method for slope model testing under rainfall conditions.

Application of fiber Bragg grating sensor network in aluminum reduction tank shell temperature monitoring

A fiber Bragg grating temperature sensor network was designed to implement the real-time health monitoring of the aluminum reduction cell. The heat transfer process was simulated using software ANSYS, and an on-line shell monitoring system was established based on optical sensing technology. According to aluminum reduction cell heat transfer theory, the 2D slice finite element model was developed. The relationship between shell temperature and cell status was discussed. Fiber Bragg grating （FBG） was chosen as the temperature sensor in light of its unique advantages. The accuracy of designed FBG temperature sensors exceeds 2 ~C, and good repeatability was exhibited. An interrogation system with 104 sensors based on VPG （volume phase grating） filter was established. Through the long-term monitoring on running state, the status of the aluminum reduction cell, including security and fatigue life could be acquired and estimated exactly. The obtained results provide the foundation for the production status monitoring and fault diagnosis. Long-term test results show good stability and repeatability which are compatible with electrolysis process.

Measurement of Temperature and Residual Strain during Fatigue of a CFRP Composite Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Fatigue behaviour has important implications for engineering composite structures in sectors ranging from automotive to aerospace. Optical sensing technology displays excellent performance in these fields for monitoring. In this paper, temperature and residual strain during fatigue of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer（CFRP） are investigated. Four autoclaved CFRP beam specimens, with fiber Bragg grating（FBG） sensors and thermocouples embedded at selected locations, are subjected to three-point bending cyclic loading on the BOSE testing machine for fatigue testing. Thennocouples are used to measure the temperature while FBGs can sense the temperature and strain as well. Seven tests in total are conducted at different frequencies, and each test lasts for several days. From the experimental results, transient steep peaks of temperature increases （up to 2.3℃） are discovered at the beginning of the load. The following constant temperature increments are around 1.0℃, which is not relevant to frequencies from 0.1 Hz to 20 Hz and suspected due to fatigue. Residual strains of 1×10^-5-2×10^-5 during fatigue, fading away rapidly when unloading, are also reported. Embedded FBGs here are validated to sense temperature and strains in composite structures, which demonstrates promising potentials in structure monitoring fields. CFRP are verified to have an excellent performance during fatigue with low temperature increase and residual strain.

Demodulation System for Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Using Digital Filtering Technique

A discrimination measurement method and demodulation technique for fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors were presented using digital filtering technique. The system can control a tunable fiber Fabry-Perot filter with sawtooth wave voltage generated by digital clock to interrogate FBG sensors. Using the analogue digital converter (ADC), the reflected FBG signals were sampled with synchronous digital clock. With the aid of digital matched filtering technique, the sampled FBG signals were processed to obtain the maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the Bragg wavelength shift from the FBG signals was recovered. The results demonstrate that this system has a scanning range of 1 520 nm-1 575 nm,and the wavelength detection accuracy is less than 2 pm with 1.5 Hz scanning frequency.

Spectral Beam Combining of Fiber Lasers by Using Reflecting Volume Bragg Gratings

By employing three reflecting volume Bragg gratings, a near-infrared 4-channel spectral-beam-combining system is demonstrated to present 720 W combined power with a combining efficiency of 94.7%. The combined laser beam is near-diffraction-limited with a beam factor M^2-1.54. During this 4-channel beam-combining process, no special active cooling measures are used to evaluate the volume Bragg gratings as combining elements are under the higher power laser operation. Thermal expansion and period distortion are verified in a 2 k W 2-channel beam-combining process, and the heat issue in the transmission case is found to be more remarkable than that in the diffraction e-se. Transmitted and diffracted beams experience wave-front aberrations with different degrees, thus leading to distinct beam deterioration.

Strain Transfer Mechanism of Grating Ends Fiber Bragg Grating for Structural Health Monitoring

The grating ends bonding fiber Bragg grating(FBG)sensor has been widely used in sensor packages such as substrate type and clamp type for health monitoring of large structures.However,owing to the shear deformation of the adhesive layer of FBG,the strain measured by FBG is often different from the strain of actual matrix,which causes strain measurement errors.This investigation aims at improving the measurement accuracy of strain for the grating ends surface-bonded FBG.To fulfill this objective,a strain transfer equation of the grating ends bonding FBG is derived,and a theoretical model of the average strain transfer from the matrix to the optical fiber is developed.Moreover,parameters that influence the average strain transfer rate from the matrix to the optical fiber are analyzed.A selection scheme of bonding parameters by numerical simulation is provided,which is significantly advantageous over that of the grating bonding FBG.The theoretical equation is verified by finite element method(FEM).Compared with the existing model,the proposed model has higher measurement accuracy.Experimental tests are performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model on the equalintensity cantilever beam,whose surface is attached to the bare FBG with grating ends bonding and strain gauge by using epoxy glue.The results show that there is a great agreement between the outcome of the bare FBG and that of the strain gauge,and the corrected strain is closer to the true strain.The proposed model provides a theoretical basis for the design of the grating ends surface-bonded FBG strain sensor for health monitoring of large structures.

Engineering approach to in-situ bridge health monitoring with fiber bragg gratings

In this presentation the feasibility and capability of fiber Bragg gratings （FBG） employed in bridge health monitoring are demonstrated on a real bridge. FBG＇ s wavelength shift depending on strain variance has been tested. The technique of FBG installation on bridges has been developed. 12 FBG strain sensors and 3 temperature sensors have been successfully embedded in the prestressed concrete box girder during the construction of Heilongjiang Hulan River Bridge. The prestressing tension process and quasi-static loading process of the girder were monitored with those sensors before it was installed onto the bridge. After the bridge was completed, the FBG sensors embedded have been utilized to monitor the strain shift of the beam under quasi-static load, traffic load and temperature. The results show that the traffic fluxes, possible tatigue damage and deflection of the bridge can be revealed conveniently through strain measurements with these FBG sensors, which provide key information for structural health diagnosis. The fact that the FBG strain sensors have withstood the ordeal of harsh construction process and lasted for more than one year proves that their durability and stability can satisfy the requirements for bridge health monitoring. It is also shown that the FBG strain sensor is more adaptive to long-term structural health monitoring than the electric resistance strain gauge.

Resistance Spot Welding Method for Metal-Based Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Aiming at the requirements of installation and work environment of metal-based fiber Bragg grating(FBG)sensor,a resistance spot welding method is presented.Firstly,the effect of welding parameters on welding quality is discussed theoretically,and a suitable resistance spot welding method for the metal-based FBG sensor is proposed for the first time.Then through serial resistance spot welding tests,the feasibility and practicability of the method are verified,and optimal welding parameters for two different tested metals are obtained.Fatigue performance test validates FBG sensors installed by the proposed method with good fatigue properties and long-term stable measurement performance.The research results can provide technical guidance for engineering structure long-term safety monitoring.

A new monitoring method of cable tension of cable-stayed bridge—fiber Bragg grating method

A new on-line monitoring method based on fiber Bragg grating(FBG) for cable tension of cable-stayed bridge was introduced. The major structure of sensing head using in the test of cable tension is elastic annular. The FBG is attached inflexibility to the exterior surface of annulus and form straight-through sensing head. Sensing head is installed between the anchor device and stow-board of funiculus holes of the cable-stayed bridge. Accompany with the change of the outside pressure, the Bragg center reflective wavelength of optical fiber grating changed correspondingly. According to this characteristic, through demodulating the Δλ, the value of the cable tension can be determined. The experiment results and the theory indicate that the test system has simple structure, good stability and linear,wide response capacity, and has no special request for tester, The measurement method for the test of cable tension is practical and effective.

An active temperature compensated fiber Bragg grating vibration sensor for high-temperature application

An active temperature compensated fiber Bragg grating(FBG)vibration sensor with a constant section cantilever beam is proposed for the simultaneous measurement of temperature and vibration,and the sensor is verified by a temperature compensation feedback system.The high-temperature vibration sensor is composed of a quartz cantilever beam and a femtosecond Bragg grating.The feedback control demodulation system of active temperature compensation can adjust the laser wavelength to stabilize the grating offset point and realize simultaneous measurement of temperature and vibration.On this basis,the performance of the sensor is tested and analyzed within the range of 20-400℃by setting up a high-temperature vibration test system.The experimental results show that the sensitivity of the sensor is about 132.33 mV/g,and the nonlinearity is about 3.33%.The sensitivity between the laser wavelength and temperature is about 0.01307 nm/℃.In addition,the active temperature compensated fiber Bragg grating vibration sensor has the advantages of a simple structure,stable performance,easy demodulation and high sensitivity.Moreover,the sensor can achieve high temperature vibration signal monitoring and has good practical application value.

Cascaded tilted fiber Bragg grating for enhanced refractive index sensing

We proposed and experimentally demonstrated a cascaded tilted fiber Bragg grating(TFBG)for enhanced refractive index sensing.The TFBG is UV-inscribed in series in ordinary single-mode fiber(SMF)and reduced-diameter SMF with the same tilt angle,and then excites two sets of superposed spectral combs of cladding modes.The cascaded TFBG with total length of 18 mm has a much wider wavelength range over 100 nm and narrower wavelength separation than that of a TFBG only in the SMF,enabling an enlarged range and a higher accuracy of refractive index measurement.The fabricated TFBG with the merits of enhanced sensing capability and temperature self-calibration presents great potentials in the biochemical sensing applications.

Fiber Bragg grating monitors for thermal and stress of the composite insulators in transmission lines

Running composite insulators are prone to failure due to their harsh surrounding work environment, which directly affects the safe operation of transmission lines. This paper puts forward the method of using fiber Bragg grating(FBG) as the monitors to parameters correlated with thermal and stress of the composite insulators in transmission lines at working status. Firstly, monitoring points are found out by the mechanical test on composite insulator samples. Secondly, based on the monitoring theory, this paper introduces the feasibility design frame of the composite insulator with FBG implanted in the rod and the online monitor system. At last, it describes applications of this monitor system in the field of transmission lines.