Development of smart composite materials with peak strain sensing capabilities

摘要

The current world trend towards structural health monitoring of expensive or safety critical infrastructure has led to the development of many smart sensors. Ideally, sensors, which can be used in the dual capacity of load bearing member and sensor, provide the most attractive prospect. Additionally, sensing elements, which can be embedded with relative ease, at primary manufacturing stages, are an intelligent choice for those seeking a method of monitoring the accumulated damage in structures. Compared to most materials, composite laminates are difficult to quantitatively monitor accumulated strain in, not only because of their physical geometry but also because of their mechanical anisotropy. The addition of a smart fiber during the manufacture of the basic weave, or laminate, could allow structural health diagnosis relatively easily.