This paper describes a collaborative European Programme No. RI IB-0173-C(CD) under the auspices of BRITE (Basic Research in Industrial Technologies for Europe) which is jointly sponsored by the Commission of the European Communities and by European industry. The programme aims to explore the use of optical sensing techniques in composites. Several sensor methods (microbending, phase, polarimetric and multiplexing schemes) have been considered. The fabrication issues relating to moulding and filament winding of composite samples containing embedded sensors with emergent pigtails have been addressed. The effects of embedded fibre optics on the structural integrity of the composites have been investigated by both mechanical testing and by the use of two mathematical modelling techniques, a homogenization method based on continuum mechanics and finite element techniques. Through a suitable choice of sensor dimension, jacketing type and thickness the detrimental effects of the embedded inclusions on mechanical properties can be minimized. This has been verified by the experimental determination of deformation fields around optical fibres embedded in composite laminates.

Date Published: 5 February 1990
PDF: 13 pages
Proc. SPIE 1170, Fiber Optic Smart Structures and Skins II, (5 February 1990); doi: 10.1117/12.963099

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1170:
Fiber Optic Smart Structures and Skins II
Eric Udd, Editor(s)