Detection of transverse cracks by embedded plastic optical fiber in FRP laminates

Nobuo Takeda; Tatsuro Kosaka; Takayuki Ichiyama

doi:10.1117/12.349735

31 May 1999 Detection of transverse cracks by embedded plastic optical fiber in FRP laminates

Nobuo Takeda, Tatsuro Kosaka, Takayuki Ichiyama

Proceedings Volume 3670, Smart Structures and Materials 1999: Sensory Phenomena and Measurement Instrumentation for Smart Structures and Materials; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349735
Event: 1999 Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 1999, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

Plastic optical fibers are multi-mode fibers and can be used as a damage sensor by measuring optical power loss. In this work, plastic optical fibers were embedded in unidirectional and cross-ply GFRP laminates and tensile tests and three- points bending tests were conducted. The relations among the optical power, the strain/deflection and the number of cracks were studied. Transverse cracks in GFRP laminates were observed by a video microscope. As the strain increased, the optical power decreased linearly before the initiation of transverse cracks, but nonlinear decrease appeared after that. There was no damages of the optical fiber before final failure of a specimen. Therefore, it is concluded that the nonlinearly change of the optical power loss was affected by the transverse cracks. Then, it is considered that plastic optical fibers have much potential to be used as transverse crack detecting sensors for smart composites. The optical power loss by a single transverse crack in tension was simulated by using three-dimensional ray tracing model. Simulated results were compared with the experimental results, and it was found that the nonlinear change of the optical power loss was strongly affected by the deformation near a crack.

Citation Download Citation

Nobuo Takeda, Tatsuro Kosaka, and Takayuki Ichiyama "Detection of transverse cracks by embedded plastic optical fiber in FRP laminates", Proc. SPIE 3670, Smart Structures and Materials 1999: Sensory Phenomena and Measurement Instrumentation for Smart Structures and Materials, (31 May 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349735

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