Smart pultruded composite reinforcements incorporating fiber optic sensors

Alexander L. Kalamkarov; Stephen B. Fitzgerald; Douglas O. MacDonald; Anastasis V. Georgiades

doi:10.1117/12.300079

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31 March 1998 Smart pultruded composite reinforcements incorporating fiber optic sensors

Alexander L. Kalamkarov, Stephen B. Fitzgerald, Douglas O. MacDonald, Anastasis V. Georgiades

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Proceedings Volume 3400, Structural Materials Technology III: An NDT Conference; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.300079
Event: Non-Destructive Evaluation Techniques for Aging Infrastructure and Manufacturing, 1998, San Antonio, TX, United States

Abstract

The issues of processing, evaluation, experimental testing, and modeling of smart fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials are discussed. The specific application in view is the use of smart composite reinforcements for a monitoring of innovative bridges and structures. The pultrusion technology for the fabrication of fiber reinforced polymer composites with embedded fiber optic senors (Fabry Perot and Bragg Grating) is developed. The optical sensor/composite material interaction is studied. The tensile and shear properties of the pultruded carbon/vinylester and glass/vinylester rods with and without optical fibers are determined. The microstructural analysis of the smart pultruded FRP is carried out. The interfaces between the resin matrix and the acrylate and polyimide coated optical fibers are examined and interpreted in terms of the coatings's ability to resist high temperature and its compatibility with resin matrix. The strain monitoring during the pultrusion of composite parts using the embedded fiber optic sensors was performed. The strain readings from the sensors and the extensometer were compared in mechanical tensile tests.

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Alexander L. Kalamkarov, Stephen B. Fitzgerald, Douglas O. MacDonald, and Anastasis V. Georgiades "Smart pultruded composite reinforcements incorporating fiber optic sensors", Proc. SPIE 3400, Structural Materials Technology III: An NDT Conference, (31 March 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.300079

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