Fiber optic strain twin-sensor-array for smart structural health monitoring

摘要

A multiplexed white light interferometric fiber optic twin-sensor-array was designed to monitor the structural health of large buildings. In this sensing system, based on a Michelson interferometer, an optical path matching technique is used to demodulate each twin-sensor. Each twin-sensor-array consists of a 2×N sensing element linked by a 3 dB coupler. When one of the twin-sensor is used to measure strain, variations caused by temperature can be compensated for by referencing the other twin-sensor. The multiplexing capacity of the sensing scheme has been analyzed and experimental results with a 2×3 twin-sensor-array are given.