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- Validation (11)
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Strain sensors embedded in or attached to structural components have to measure the real deformation of the structure over the whole period of use. The user must know how reliably installed sensors provide strain measurement results. For this purpose, test facilities or coupon tests are used. In order to characterize the strain transfer quality from the host structure into surface-applied strain sensors, a unique testing facility has been developed. This facility can be used both for fiber optic and resistance strain sensors. Originally developed for fiber Bragg grating based sensors, the KALFOS facility (=calibration of fiber optic sensors) uses Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometer (ESPI) as unbiased referencing methods. It is possible to determine experimentally the strain transfer mechanism under combined thermal and mechanical loading conditions. This experimental characterization method will reveal weaknesses in commonly used strain sensors, and the investigation of the material systems used for fiber optic and other strain sensors (particularly the coating/substrate - adhesive combination). The KALFOS facility allows matching of specific measurement requirements with environmental conditions.
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 strain sensors are increasingly used and sensor Systems are provided with specifications. Even if the performance is well specified, the strain characteristics of the sensor, strain transfer factor, mechanical stability under thermal influences, the performance of applied strain sensors can seriously differ from virgin sensor’s the performance. Therefore the contribution considers validation issues to come to reliable strain measurements and how to validate strain measurements of applied sensors. A new validation facility will be presented.
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.
Fibre-optic sensors need to be more established in the sensor market. Their advantages have unquestionably been verified by numerous demonstrations. However, there are some open questions leading now and then to restraints in the user's community. The paper dicusses examples where fibre-optic sensors provide outstanding knowledge about the structure's behaviour, but application is often challenging. Requirements are listed and open questions to be solved are discussed. Short outlook to standards useful for better design, characterization and application is given. Standards are the basis for establiching SHM systems, especially for safety-critical structural diagnostics.
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.
Strain measurement in structures witli the purpose of long-term structurai health inonitoring must provide reliable inforination about the structure’s behavior over the whole period of use. The user must be sure that installed sensors are validated and work to the utmost satisfactiou. For this purpose, sensor Systems are tested using special facilities. Bccause it is not easy to characterize the strain transfer quality from the host structure into surface-applied strain sensors, a unique testing facility has been developed. Originally developed for fiber Bragg grating based sensors, the KALFOS facility (= calibration of fiber optic sensors) can also be used for electrical strain sensors.
Calibration ineasurements are referenced by unbinsed Digital Image Correlation (D1C) and Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometer (ESPI) methods. The strain transfer behavior can experimentally be analyzed and investigated under combined thermal and mechanical loading conditions and allows revealing wealuiesses in couimonly used attachment methodologies. The deformation of all members (particularly the coating/substrate - adhesive combination) in the sensing area is physically independently gained and recorded. Results achievcd allow precise description of the strain transfer function, Validation of the longterm strain sensor characteristics, matching of specific measurement requirements with environmental conditions, and, moreover, the verification of Standards for use of strain sensors.
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.