Mechanical behavior of optical fiber strain sensors

Noah Gale Olson; Christopher K.Y. Leung; Aidong Meng

doi:10.1117/12.456091

14 February 2002 Mechanical behavior of optical fiber strain sensors

Noah Gale Olson, Christopher K.Y. Leung, Aidong Meng

Proceedings Volume 4578, Fiber Optic Sensor Technology and Applications 2001; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.456091
Event: Environmental and Industrial Sensing, 2001, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

As optical fiber sensors take an increasingly important role in structural health evaluation, it is vital that a thorough understanding of the mechanical behavior of these sensors be examined. Previous studies have usually looked at the behavior using uncoated fiber. However this study examines the behavior of both coated and uncoated fibers. A theoretical assessment using a three-dimensional finite element model for both coated and uncoated optical fibers is presented. Results show that the coating stiffness can significantly affect the strain transfer from the member under load to the optical fiber. With a stiff coating (or no coating), the fiber will exhibit maximum sensitivity, but the calibration factor (i.e., the fraction of strain transmitted to the fiber) can be affected by the thickness of the glue. For a soft coating, the calibration factor is not as strongly affected by glue thickness, but the strain sensitivity can be quite low. The three-dimensional finite element model can provide guidelines for the optimized design of strain sensors. In addition, a straightforward analytical solution shows good equivalence with the theoretical solution under certain conditions. Experiments using an interferometer have been conducted to verify the results of the theoretical study and have shown good correspondence.

Citation Download Citation

Noah Gale Olson, Christopher K.Y. Leung, and Aidong Meng "Mechanical behavior of optical fiber strain sensors", Proc. SPIE 4578, Fiber Optic Sensor Technology and Applications 2001, (14 February 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.456091

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available