FIBER OPTIC STRAIN SENSORS Beril Bicer University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Content Optical Fiber Fiber Optic Sensors Measured Parameters Main Advantages Basic Components of FOS Setup Applications Classification of FOS Fiber Optic Strain Gages Products

Optical Fiber a filament of transparent dielectric material, glass or plastic usually cylindrical in shape a guidance system for light Optical fiber is :

SNELL’S LAW: n 1 sin  = n 2 sin where n is refractive index Optical Fiber Guidance is achieved through multiple reflections at the fiber walls. Core, transparent dielectric material, surrounded by another dielectric material with a lower refractive index called cladding. (n 1 >n 2 ) In practice, there is a third protective layer called jacket. n1n1 n2n2 1 2

Ray Transmission through an Optical Fiber Critical angle of reflection (sin c  = n 2 /n 1 )

Fiber Optic Sensors Basic Components: source of light a length of sensing (and transmission) fiber a photo-detector demodulator processing and display optics required electronics

Fiber Optic Sensors

Measured Parameters Light intensity displacement (position) pressure temperature strain (rotation and displacement) flow magnetic and electrical fields chemical compositions velocity, acceleration and vibration force and stress

Main Advantages Non-electric (immune to electromagnetic and radio- frequency interference) withstand high temperature and harsh environments (corrosion) High shock survivability (explosion or extreme vibration) high accuracy and sensitivity light weight and small size high capacity and signal purity multiplexing capacity Can be easily interfaced with data communication systems

Basic Components of FOS Setup

Applications Real-time monitoring of civil engineering structures. Structural monitoring of aircraft, both in-flight and on-ground Instrumentation of robots used on board in the International Space Station Testing and analysis of solid rocket motors Smart structures instrumentation Fiber Aerospace guidance and control Industrial control Damage localization in civil, mechanical, and aerospace structures Embedment in concrete structures

Classification of FOS A. Based on application areas: physical sensors (measurement of temperature, stress, etc) chemical sensors (measurement of pH content, gas analysis, spectroscopic studies, etc.) biomedical sensors (measurement of blood flow, glucose content, etc.)

Classification of FOS B. Based on modulation and demodulation process: phase-modulated sensors –compare the phase of light in a sensing fiber to a reference fiber in a device called interferometer. – Light is not required to exit the fiber at the sensor (no optical loss) –more complex in design –better sensitivity and resolution

Classification of FOS Example: Mach-Zehnder Interferometric sensor

Classification of FOS B. Based on modulation and demodulation process: intensity-modulated sensors –Light is required to exit the fiber at the sensor (optical loss) –simpler in design – more economical –widespread in application

Classification of FOS B. Based on modulation and demodulation process: spectrally-modulated sensors –measures the changes in the wavelength of the light due to the environmental effects.

Classification of FOS C. Based on sensing characteristics of fibers extrinsic sensors –a coating or a device at the fiber tip performs the measurement.

Classification of FOS C. Based on sensing characteristics of fibers intrinsic sensors –fiber itself performs the measurement.

Fiber Optic Strain Sensors A. Intensity Modulated Strain Gages Reflective sensors – One bundle is used to transmit the light to a reflecting target – Other collects the reflected light and transmits to a detector –Any movement of the target will effect the intensity of the reflected light.

–Plain reflective displacement sensors have a limited dynamic range of about 0.2 in. – Can be improved by a lens system to 5 in. – sensitive to the orientation and contamination of the reflective surface Fiber Optic Strain Sensors

A. Intensity Modulated Strain Gages Micro-bend Sensors – If a fiber is bent, a portion of the trapped light is lost through the wall.

Fiber Optic Strain Sensors B. Phase Modulated Strain Gages Fabry-Perot Interferometers (FPI) – light source is conveyed via an optical fiber to two mirrors (reflectors). –When the displacement between the mirrors has changed due to strain, optical spectrum changes – absolute distance between the mirrors gives the strain.

Fiber Optic Strain Sensors –Extremely sensitive –provides point-sensing capability –excellent mechanical properties –output is easy to process –difficult to make rugged enough for harsh construction env. (embedding in concrete)

Product: EFO Embedded Strain Gage FISO Technologies 70 mm long sensor can be embedded in concrete intrinsic Fabry-Perot strain gage is bonded in a very small hole in the center of the steel body. can be cast directly into the wet mix can be encapsulated into a concrete briquette, then cast into wet concrete can be placed into a pre-drilled hole and grouted. Diameters are 3mm and 30 mm. range, +/- 1000, 1500micro strain resolution <0.01% full scale Temperature range, -55 o C to 85 o C

Product: Embeddable EFPI Strain Gage Luna Innovations Inc mm length, 350 micrometer outer diameter sensitivity, +/ micro strain resolution <1 Temperature range, -100 o C to 350 o C accuracy, 1% Measurement cycle, 100kHz

Product:Wide Sensing Fiber Optic Cable SunX-Ramco Inc. 11 mm wide sensing area long sensing distance freely cuttable fiber cable 2 m. lenght