IMPACT DAMAGE ANALYSIS OF OPTICAL FIBRES INCOMPOSITE STRUCTURES

摘要

It is commonly reported that within nominal guidelines, embedding optical fibres incomposite materials has little effect on the overall structural integrity of the component. This paperwill report on the suitability of embedding Optical Fibres (OF) in commonly used carbon-fibrecomposites. These panels will be designed, manufactured and tested for the effects of typical fibreopticgeometrical and physical parameters such as types of fibre coating polymers, fibre diameter andfibre distribution. Based on impact tests on Optical Fibres-embedded composites, it is shown thatsignificant deterioration on strength is observed beyond a certain OF density level. This paper willfocus on the macroscopic effect of having optical fibres in composites from a structural integrity andimpact damage point-of-view. To this end, an exposition on the theoretical considerations usingcontinuum mechanics and fracture energy release-rate principles is provided.