Hybrid optical fiber sensor system based on fiber Bragg gratings and plastic optical fibers for health monitoring of engineering structures

摘要

In this paper, packaged fibre Bragg grating (PFBG) sensors were fabricated by embedding them in 70mm x 10mm x 0.3mm carbon-fibre composites which were then surface-bonded to an aluminium beam and a steel I-beam to investigate their strain monitoring capability. Initially, the response of these packaged sensors under tensile loading was compared to bare FBGs and electrical strain gauges located in the vicinity. The effective calibration constant/coefficient of the PFBG sensor was also compared with the non-packaged version. These PFBG sensors were then attached to an I-section steel beam to monitor their response under flexural loading conditions. These realistic structures provide a platform to assess the potential and reliability of the PFBG sensors when used in harsh environment. The results obtained in this study gave clear experimental evidence of the difference in performance between the coated and uncoated PFBG fabricated for the study. In another experimental set-up, bare FBG and POF vibration sensors were surface-bonded to the side-surface of a CFRP-wrapped reinforced concrete beam which was then subjected to cyclic loading to assess their long-term survivability. Plain plastic optical fibre (POF) sensors were also attached to the side of the 2-meter concrete beam to monitor the progression of cracks developed during the cyclic loading. The results showed excellent long-term survivability by the FBG and POF vibration sensors and provided evidence of the potential of the plain POF sensor to detect and monitor the propagation of the crack developed during the test.