STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY MONITORING OF COMPOSITES-BASED UAV WINGS USING FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTED STRAIN SENSING

摘要

This work presents an innovative Structural Integrity Monitoringconcept based on embedded optical fiber distributed Rayleigh backscatteringstrain sensing. The UAV wing main spar strain distribution,under load, was recorded periodically during service. These strainmeasurements were analyzed and compared to a baseline record in orderto identify changes in the strain distribution profiles as an indication forstiffness change that may result by damages or material deterioration.