Abstract
In order to select appropriate optical fiber paths and locations for Bragg Grating sensors, the research group has studied a classically cracked metallic structure repaired with a ‘smart’ bonded composite patch using finite element analysis. The patch was bonded over a cracked aluminum plate by means of a thin adhesive layer. The primary loading axis of the metal was assumed parallel to the direction of the optical fibers used. A variety of optical fiber paths and sensor positions was considered, along with their ability to measure the developed strain field and to trace the position of the crack tip. It was concluded that a fiber optics network is indeed capable of tracing effectively the critical parameters required for the monitoring of structural integrity of the composite patch-reinforced structures (i.e. strains developed at the patch and at the tip of the crack). It was found that at least two Bragg Grating sensors should be used at each side of the crack per optical fiber, in order to enable adequate monitoring of the strain field and the position of the crack tip. Different locations should be chosen according to the configuration of the patch (one or two-sided).
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baker, A. A. and Jones R., Bonded Repair of Aircraft Structures, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 1988.
Marioli-Riga, Z. P., Tsamasphyros, G. J., and Kanderakis, G. N., ‘Development of a Method for A/C Emergency Repairs by Composite Patches’, in Xanthi1997, Vol. II, S. A. Paipetis and E. E. Gdoutos (eds), pp. 14–156.
Baker, A. A., ‘Bonded Composite Repair of Metallic Aircraft Components - Overview of Australian Activities’, in Composite Repair of Military Aircraft Structures, AGARD CP-550, Seville, Spain, 1994, pp. –14.
Tsamasphyros, G. J., Kanderakis, G. N., and Marioli-Riga, Z. P., ‘Three-dimensional Finite Elements Analysis of Debonding and Thermal Effects Near the Crack-Tip of a Metal Structure Repaired by a Composite Patch’, in Third National Congress on Computational Mechanics, M. Aravas and J. T. Katsikadelis (eds), Univ. of Thessaly, Vol. II, Volos, Greece, 1999, pp. 429–436.
Marioli-Riga, Z. P., Tsamasphyros, G. J., and Kanderakis, G. N., ‘Non Destructive Evaluation of the Crack Propagation under a Composite Patch Repair Using the Eddy Current Method’, in SPIE's 5th International Symposium on Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring of Ageing Infrastructure, Newport Beach, CA, USA, 2000.
Measures, R., ‘Fiber Optic Sensing for Comp. Smart Structures’, AGARD, CP-531, 1992.
Sirkis, J. et al., ‘What do embedded optical fibers really measures?’, SPIE, Vol. 1777, 1992, N. Spon Ltd, London, 1981.
Tsamasphyros, G. J., Furnarakis, N. K., Kanderakis, G. N., and Marioli-Riga, Z. P., ‘Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Composite Patches with Embedded Optical Fibres - Through Thickness Optimization’, ICCES 01, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 1–24 August 2001.
Rose, L. R. F., ‘Theoretical Analysis of Crack Patching’, in Bonded Repair of Aircraft Structures, A. A. Baker and R. Jones (eds), Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht, 1988.
Dasgupta, A. et al., ‘Prediction of Resin Pocket Geometry for Stress Analysis of Optical Fibers Embedded in Laminated Composites’, Smart Materials and Structures 1, 1992, 10–107.
ANSYS Finite Element Analysis Programme, Elements Manual, SAS IP Inc, 1998.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tsamasphyros, G.J., Kanderakis, G.N., Furnarakis, N.K. et al. Selection of Optical Fibers Paths and Sensor Locations for Monitoring the Integrity of Composite Patching. Applied Composite Materials 10, 331–338 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025791424307
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025791424307