Composite Integrity Monitoring

Abstract

Optical fibers were embedded in graphite epoxy composite coupons and I-beams with the objective of measuring integrated and distributed loads. Polarimetric techniques using both high and low birefringence optical fibers were used for integrated strain, while optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) was used for locating distributed point loads. Polarimetric results agreed favorably with resistance strain gage data when the structure applied load normal to the optical fiber axis. Stresses of 64 ksi were required to observe loads using OTDR with a resolution of 1.2 meters.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA220813

Entities

People

  • Kim Goddard
  • Robert Rudd

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Composite Material Fabrication
  • Composite Materials
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Elastic Properties
  • Epoxy Composites
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Gages
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Lasers
  • Materials Processing
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Working
  • Optical Fibers
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Refractive Index
  • Strain Gages

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.