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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.
Reliable measurement results with fibre optic sensors require profound knowledge of physical mode of function, of materials used and appropriate application. There is often serious discrepancy between use in laboratory environment and on site. The paper identifies important aspects to be considered and shows ways to transfer innovations onto practical use.
Fiber optic sensors are increasingly used because of their outstanding performance or if special requirements avoid the application of conventional electrical sensors. The scientific background for optical fiber sensors is well developed; however, the characteristic of sensors applied in rather harsh environment are almost always different from characteristics determined in laboratory or before its installation. In order to achieve long-term stable function and reliable measurement data after application and under harsh environmental conditions, guidelines for characterization and specification of sensor components are needed as well as methodologies for testing the sensor performance must be developed. Performance tests carried out revealed that there are still some restrictions with respect to long-term reliable use: first, some sensor products available on the market are not very often appropriately characterized, described and validated; second, application procedures are not always defined due to a lack of understanding the micromechanical issues in the interface zone between sensor and measuring object. Application procedures and profound knowledge of materials behaviour are necessary to get results from the sensor that can be reliably used. The paper describes first guidelines to prove the quality of fiber optic strain sensors, a testing facility developed for unbiased tests and certification of surface-applied sensors as well as result from comparison of commercially available strain sensors.