DISTRIBUTED MICROBEND FIBER-OPTIC STRAIN SENSOR

The distributed strain sensor has significant application in real time measurement of strain status for large and important engineering structures such as aircraft, bridge and dam. In this paper, a quasi distributed optical fiber strain sensor system is set up using optical time domain reflect technique. The local strain sensors based on a novel microbend configuration are designed and applied to measure local strains along the optical fiber. As the result of the experimental research, the microbend sensors show high sensitivity, good linearity and repeatability in certain operation range.

Distributed fiber optic sensors for tunnel monitoring:A state-of-the-art review

Distributed fiber optic sensors(DFOSs)possess the capability to measure strain and temperature variations over long distances,demonstrating outstanding potential for monitoring underground infrastructure.This study presents a state-of-the-art review of the DFOS applications for monitoring and assessing the deformation behavior of typical tunnel infrastructure,including bored tunnels,conventional tunnels,as well as immersed and cut-and-cover tunnels.DFOS systems based on Brillouin and Rayleigh scattering principles are both considered.When implementing DFOS monitoring,the fiber optic cable can be primarily installed along transverse and longitudinal directions to(1)measure distributed strains by continuously adhering the fiber to the structure’s surface or embedding it in the lining,or(2)measure point displacements by spot-anchoring it on the lining surface.There are four critical aspects of DFOS monitoring,including proper selection of the sensing fiber,selection of the measuring principle for the specific application,design of an effective sensor layout,and establishment of robust field sensor instrumentation.These four issues are comprehensively discussed,and practical suggestions are provided for the implementation of DFOS in tunnel infrastructure monitoring.

Strain measurement of fiber optic sensor surface bonding on host material

Fiber optic sensor has been widely used as a structural health monitoring device by either embedding into or surface bonding onto the structures. The strain of optic fiber induced by the host material is strongly dependent on the bonding characteristics which include the protective coating, adhesive layer and the length of bonding. The strains between the fiber optics and host structure are not exact the same. The existence of the protective coating and adhesive layer would affect the strain measured by the surface bonding optic sensor. The analytical expression of the strain in the optic fiber induced by the host material was presented. The results were validated by the finite element method. The theoretical predictions reveal that the strain in the optical fiber is lower than the strain of host material. Parametric study shows that a long bonding length and high modulus of protective coating would increase the percentage of strain transferring into the optical fiber. Experiments were conducted by using Mach-Zehnder interferometer to measure the strain of the surface bonding optic fiber induced by the host structure. Good agreements were observed in comparison with the experimental results and theoretical predictions.

A Dual-Mode Bow Tie Optical Fiber Sensor for Measurement of Axial Strain

An optical fiber strain sensor utilizing the mode-mode interference of LP01x, and LPJ11x modes in bow tie optical fibers is described. The heterodyne interference caused by frequency modulation of laser diode (LD) with ramp injection current is used to realize the detection of linear phase. Experimental results show a resolution of about 2% of one fringe corresponding to a strain of 2.9m.

DETERMINATION OF INTERNAL STRAIN IN 3-D BRAIDED COMPOSITES USING OPTIC FIBER STRAIN SENSORS

A reliable understanding of the properties of 3-D braided composites is of primary importance for proper utilization of these materials. A new method is introduced to study the mechanical performance of braided composite materials using embedded optic fiber sensors. Experimental research is performed to devise a method of incorporating optic fibers into a 3-D braided composite structure. The efficacy of this new testing method is evaluated on two counts. First, the optical performance of optic fibers is studied before and after incorporated into 3-D braided composites, as well as after completion of the manufacturing process for 3-D braided composites, to validate the ability of the optic fiber to survive the manufacturing process. On the other hand, the influence of incorporated optic fiber on the original braided composite is also researched by tension and compression experiments. Second, two kinds of optic fiber sensors are co-embedded into 3-D braided composites to evaluate their respective ability to measure the internal strain. Experimental results show that multiple optic fiber sensors can be co-braided into 3-D braided composites to determine their internal strain which is difficult to be fulfilled by other current existing methods.

Complete Phase-strain Model for Interferometric Optical Fiber Sensor

The complete phase-strain model for arbitrarily configured singe-mode optical fiber in an arbitrary three-demensional strain field is derived. It includes all factors having influence on the optical phase such as the change in length, dispersion and birefringence. When simplified, our analysis is respectively consistent with the model of Sirkis and Haslach, Butter and Hocker.

Stress Sensing by an Optical Fiber Sensor: Method and Process for the Characterization of the Sensor Response Depending on Several Designs

In this paper we propose an analyzing of the response of a stress optical fiber sensor of which we proposed several design. We show that an optical fiber sensor with these designs can covenanting allow the measuring the force/stress applied to a mechanical structure or which it is linked, by optimizing the uses of appropriate materials for constituting the sensor support. The experiment that we introduce to validate our approach based in principles includes design with a support bearing a multimode optical fiber organized in such a way that the transmitted light is attenuated when the fiber-bending angle coming from stitching in holes of the support is modified by the effects of the force/stress applied to the optical fiber sensor realized in this way. The tests realized concern the most relevant parameters that define the performances of the stress sensor that we propose. We present the problems that we to solved for the optimization of the sensor for selecting the more efficient material for the optical fiber sensor support related to a relevant choice of optical fibers.

Application of Fiber Optic Sensor Technology in Intelligent Steel Strand

A twisted fiber optic sensor based on intensity modulation is described. The principle and structure of the sensor and the choice of steel strand modules are introduced. The sensor is used to determine the tensile strain and distribution. The experimental results show that the change of the transferring light power has an approximate linear relation with the outer force. The intelligent steel strands with this kind of sensor will have a good application in monitoring the concrete crack and deformation distribution in huge structures such as dams and bridges.

Distributed Fiber Optic Monitoring and Stability Analysis of a Model Slope under Surcharge Loading

In the discipline of geotechnical engineering, fiber optic sensor based distributed monitoring has played an increasingly important role over the past few decades. Compared with conventional sensors, fiber optic sensors have a variety of exclusive advantages, such as smaller size, higher precision, and better corrosion resistance. These innovative monitoring technologies have been successfully applied for performance monitoring of geo-structures and early warning of potential geo- hazards around the world. In order to investigate their ability to monitor slope stability problems, a medium-sized model of soil nailed slope has been constructed in laboratory. The fully distributed Brillouin optical time-domain analysis （BOTDA） sensing technology was employed to measure the horizontal strain distributions inside the model slope. During model construction, a specially designed strain sensing fiber was buried in the soil mass. Afterward, the surcharge loading was applied on the slope crest in stages using hydraulic jacks and a reaction frame. During testing, an NBX-6o5o BOTDA sensing interrogator was used to collect the fiber optic sensing data. The test results have been analyzed in detail, which shows that the fiber optic sensors can capture the progressive deformation and failure pattern of the model slope. The limit equilibrium analyses were also conducted to obtain the factors ofsafety of the slope under different surface loadings. It is found that the characteristic maximum strains can reflect the stability of the model slope and an empirical relationship was obtained, This study verified the effectiveness of the distributed BOTDA sensing technology in performance monitoring of slope.

Field measurement of strain response for typical asphalt pavement

In order to reveal the changing law of the mechanical response of asphalt pavements under the action of vehicle load and provide references for the design of durable pavements,three typical asphalt pavement structures with flexible base(S1),combined base(S2),and semi-rigid base(S3)were selected to perform field strain tests under static and dynamic load using the fiber Bragg grating optical sensing technology.The changing characteristics of the strain field along the horizontal and depth directions of pavements were analyzed.The results indicate that the most unfavorable asphalt pavement layers were the upper-middle surface layer and the lower base layer.In addition,the most unfavorable loading positions on the surface layer and the base layer were the center of wheel load and the gap center between two wheels,respectively.The most unfavorable layer of the surface layers gradually moved from the lower layer to the upper layer with the increase of base layer modulus.The power function relationships between structural layer strain and vehicle speed were revealed.The semi-rigid base asphalt pavement was the most durable pavement type,since its strain value was lower compared to those of the other 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.

STRAIN MEASUREMENT IN THE SMART COMPOSITE

The smart composite structure is a new type of structure developed in recent years. It can be used in aircraft or some other important devices. The smart composite structure in which some sensors, actuators and other components are embedded can perform the tasks such damage evaluation, strain measurement, changing stress and suppressing vibration by itself. In the Performance of the tasks above, many parameters must be measured, among which the measurement of strain field is very important. In this paper, some distributed and quasi-distributed embedding optic fiber strain sensors are introduced, and their specialities are discussed.

Calibration Technology of Optical Fiber Strain Sensor

As one of the hotspots of sensing technology at present, optical fiber sensor has the characteristics of small size, anti-electromagnetic interference, and easy networking, which plays an irreplaceable role in multiphysics parameter monitoring of complex electromagnetic environments. The precise calibration of the optical fiber strain sensor has great practical value in prolonging the survival rate of the sensor, improving the measurement accuracy, and meeting the needs of long-term monitoring. By reviewing the research status of strain sensor calibration method and fiber optic strain sensor calibration method, the advantages and disadvantages of the main methods are analyzed separately from the static and dynamic perspectives, and the development prospect of the calibration technology of optic fiber strain sensor is summarized.

面向航空发动机的高精高频动应变测量系统

高速高精动应变监测技术是实现航空发动机旋转部件故障早期诊断目标的关键技术。提出了一种基于相位解调技术的光纤法布里-珀罗(Fabry-Pérot,F-P)动应变测量系统,实现了在高频率条件下的高精度动应变测量。实验结果表明:系统中F-P传感器对应变的灵敏度可以达到100.955 pm/με,约为一般光纤FBG应变传感器(应变约1 pm/με)的100倍;测量频率可以达到10 kHz;在对多种不同标准激振频率进行测量时,误差不超过1.1%;另外测量系统探头能耐受1200℃的高温,因而在未来航空发动机旋转部件故障监测、性能测试方面都具有较好的应用前景。

单模-空芯-单模光纤微结构应变传感特性研究

设计了一种单模-空芯-单模光纤微结构应变传感器,利用光束传播法进行仿真分析,建立了波长-应变关系模型,并对其应变特性、温度特性进行实验研究。实验结果表明,在0~340με范围内的拉伸应变灵敏度和-340~0με范围内的压缩应变灵敏度分别高达-4.19和-4.26 pm/με,线性度分别为0.9971和0.9981;在20~70℃范围内的温度灵敏度为9.6 pm/℃,线性度达到0.9909。该传感器制作简单且具有较高的应变灵敏度,可以实现应变测量。

基于多模干涉的光纤冰体应变传感器

基于“单模-无芯-单模”光纤传感器对冰体进行应变测量研究。传感器以“分层冰冻”的方法植入冰体,冰体应变变化导致传感器干涉光谱波长偏移,通过监测光谱波长实现冰体应变测量。对于实际环境中已经存在的冰体,对“分层冰冻”方法进行优化,通过在冰面上铺设光纤,之后注水冰冻的方式,实现光纤在已有冰体中的植入。利用光谱相邻波谷温度灵敏度相近的特点,将相邻波谷波长差应用于应变测量,可以不受冰体温度变化影响。实验结果显示,冰体承载力大于500 g时,其应变显著增加,当承载力大于600 g时,冰体出现脆性断裂,传感器有效提取了该区间内冰体“韧-脆”转变过程中的应变信号。融化实验显示,传感器可以监测到冰体自然融化过程中完整的应变变化过程,测量结果不受冰体内部温度变化的影响。

平顶型CLPG-CFBG级联结构中温度应力传感特性的研究

为了使光纤光栅传感器在光纤传感系统的应用中同时具有温度应力双参量传感和通信传输的功能,提出了一种由啁啾长周期光纤光栅(CLPG)和啁啾光纤布喇格光栅(CFBG)组成的平顶型光纤光栅传感器结构。采用测量中心波长位移的方法,建立了传感器温度和应力灵敏度系数矩阵,进行了理论分析和仿真验证。结果表明,CLPG的温度和应力灵敏度大小分别为2660 pm/℃和132 pm/με;CFBG的温度和应力灵敏度大小分别为12.6 pm/℃和0.8 pm/με,且CLPG和CFBG同时都具有平顶输出光谱,平顶光谱带宽分别达到了13.8 nm和5.6 nm,该传感器可以实现温度应力双参量同时传感,具有稳定的通信传输波段。该研究为光纤光栅传感器在光纤传感系统中的应用提供了参考。

基于FBG的双环减敏型超低温应变传感器研究

针对超低温环境下航天火箭燃料贮箱大应变健康监测困难的难题,提出一种基于光纤布拉格光栅(FBG)的双环减敏型超低温应变传感器。实验中采用低温胶进行封装处理,分别对传感器在常温和液氮环境下进行了应变测试,在(0~490)×10^(-6)测量范围内,传感器应变灵敏度分别为0.18 pm/10^(-6)和0.67 pm/10^(-6),减敏比为2.68,所设计的传感器在超低温环境下具有良好的应变减敏特性。

基于宏应变的CFRP板桥梁加固效果快速评估试验研究

为实现在不中断正常交通情况下对既有公路桥梁加固效果进行快速量化评估,本文以预应力CFRP板加固空心板足尺梁为试验对象,基于长标距光纤光栅应变传感技术,推导了移动车辆荷载下简支梁桥长标距应变影响线计算公式;在此基础上,研究了预应力CFRP板加固桥梁前后长标距应变影响线的表现特征,提出了基于移动车辆荷载下长标距应变时程面积包络线的桥梁加固效果评估指标;开展了预应力CFRP板加固空心板梁足尺试验研究,并对其加固效果进行了快速评估与监测。试验结果表明:基于移动车辆荷载下的桥梁长标距应变影响线能够有效地评估预应力CFRP板桥梁加固效果,长标距应变时程面积随着CFRP板预应力水平的增加而减小,通过评估分析得到本次加固试验中桥梁加固效果分别为7.07%、6.90%。

基于球形长周期光纤光栅的宽动态范围位移传感器实验研究

[目的]针对光纤位移传感器动态范围窄的问题,设计一种结构简单、易于制备的气球形长周期光纤光栅(LPFG)位移传感器。[方法]采用RSOFT软件进行仿真与优化,得到光纤在不同曲率下的光谱形态,以此来确定测量区间。通过将多模光纤周期性嵌入单模光纤形成的气球形长周期光纤光栅(MMF-BLPFG),提供用于测量位移的参考峰。使用精密的连续切割装置作为实验基础,制备与仿真结果一致的实验样品进行测试。[结果]通过测量2个谐振峰的漂移,实现了36 mm的最大位移测量范围。[结论]该研究成果在舰船水下疏水空间管系的稳定性测量和连续监测等需要大规模测量的场景中具有良好的应用潜力。