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Fiber-optic strain sensors are increasingly used in very different technical fields. Sensors are provided with specifications defined by the manufacturer or ascertained by the interested user. If deformation sensors are to be used to evaluate the long-term behavior of safety-relevant structures or to monitor critical structure components, their performance and signal stability must be of high quality to enable reliable data recording. The measurement system must therefore be validated according to established technical rules and standards before its application and after. In some cases, not all details of the complex characteristic and performance of applied fiber-optic sensors are sufficiently understood, or can be validated because of a lack of knowledge and methods to check the sensors' behavior. This contribution focusses therefore on the importance of serious validation in avoiding a decrease or even deterioration of the sensors' function. Methods for validation of applied sensors are discussed and should reveal weaknesses in validation of embedded or integrated fiber-optic deformation and/or strain sensors. An outlook to some research work that has to be carried out to ensure a well-accepted practical use of fiber-optic sensors is given.
Fiber-optic strain sensors are increasingly used in very different technical fields. Sensors are provided with specifications defined by the manufacturer or ascertained by the interested user. In some cases, sensor specification is not sufficiently validated and must therefore additionally be validated in a laboratory, primarily to ensure reliable measurement information over the intended period of operation. Even if the performance of delivered sensor is well specified, the sensor's strain characteristics and the performance of an applied sensor can significantly differ from the virgin sensor's performance. In this case, applied sensors do not provide full reliability and lead sometimes to uncertain measurement results. This contribution will therefore focus on the role of validation in avoiding a decrease or even deterioration of the sensor function of applied sensors. Experimental validation - not only modelling - is very important, however, before experimental investigations are planned knowledge about key issues and problems that influence the measurement results must be available. Few aspects to be considered and investigated will be discussed. Selected experimental facilities to reveal weaknesses in the sensor function will be described; an outlook to open questions is given.
Currently, fibre-optic sensors (FOSs) are commonly used if special requirements make the application of electrical sensors impossible, or economic benefit is promised. The scientific background of FOS technology is well developed; however, there are still some restrictions with respect to long-term reliable use. For widespread practical use, sensor products must be manufactured, characterized and validated according to standards. Guidelines on how to apply sensors and evaluate their operation on-site including special facilities to evaluate applied sensors are needed. This paper will focus on important aspects, such as when FOSs may be used under real practical conditions, and will present validation methodologies to evaluate the overall quality of the sensor system's function. It will also indicate the lack of knowledge and methods to be elaborated to promote the use of FOS.
This work presents a further development of the methods of simultaneous determination of temperature and axial strain using a single fibre Bragg grating (FBG). The reflected spectrum of composite-embedded FBG sensors has been analyzed in order to separate temperature and load effects. We found out that during the curing process of the laminates, a superstructure has been introduced on the FBG. Analyzing this effect, a temperature and strain separation was implemented by simply calculating and comparing the integrated intensity of the spectral response signal. A mathematical four-parametric model has been developed to calculate the reflected spectrum of a superstructured fibre Bragg grating. The mathematically achieved data has been evaluated with experimentally determined data from fibre Bragg gratings embedded in glass-fibre reinforced composite materials.
Fibre optic strain sensors used in practical applications have to provide reliable measurements. Therefore, the applied sensor and the sensor systems must be validated experimentally. This can be achieved with facilities which use physically independent measurement systems in order to avoid the influences caused by the application of a reference sensor. This paper describes the testing methods of the specially developed validation facility KALFOS for the qualification and evaluation of surface-applied strain sensors. For reliable sensor results, the performance of fibre optic strain patches with and without FBG under combined thermal and mechanical loading was investigated. Additionally, the strain gauge factor of the fibre optic strain patches with FBG was determined experimentally and compared to the specified strain gauge factor. These results will be the basis for the development of guidelines and standards concerning the application of the sensors.
Surface-applied fibre optic strain sensors were investigated using a unique validation facility equipped with application-independent optical reference systems. First, different adhesives for the sensor's application were analysed regarding their material properties. Measurements resulting from conventional measurement techniques, such as thermo-mechanical analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis, were compared with measurements resulting from digital image correlation, which has the advantage of being a non-contact technique. Second, fibre optic strain sensors were applied to test specimens with the selected adhesives. Their strain-transfer mechanism was analysed in comparison with conventional strain gauges. Relative movements between the applied sensor and the test specimen were visualized easily using optical reference methods, digital image correlation and electronic speckle pattern interferometry. Conventional strain gauges showed limited opportunities for an objective strain-transfer analysis because they are also affected by application conditions.
In Germany, the first guideline for the use of fiber Bragg grating strain sensors, 'Optical Strain Sensor based on Fiber Bragg Grating' (Berlin, Germany: Beuth-Verlag, 2010), has been developed by the GESA guideline group of VDI, 'The Association of German Engineers' and published by Beuth-Verlag. This guideline provides the basic specifications of this sensor type and the sensor characteristics, which have to be known for a reliable sensor performance. In conformity to this guideline, experimental investigations on the strain transfer characteristics of fiber Bragg grating patches have been carried out. A comparison between patches and resistance strain gauges during tensile tests and combined temperature and tensile loading was carried out. The evaluated strain gauge factor and the temperature sensitivity of the strain gauge factor have been compared to the manufacturer's data. The overall performance of the patches has been evaluated. The experimental investigations showed that there are considerable disagreements between the manufacturer's specifications and the observed characteristics.
Strain sensors used in practical applications must provide reliable measurement data. To achieve this, sensor systems must be validated by using experimental facilities that enable physically independent statements about the performance of the sensor components. The paper describes qualification and validation procedures using a special facility to qualify surface-applied strain sensors and to achieve reliable sensor results. Based on examples concerning fibre optic strain sensor patches with and without FBG sensors, the determination of the strain gauge factor also under combined thermal and mechanical loading will be presented. These results are the basis for development of guidelines and standards.