Monitoring of advanced composite weave structures using multi-axis fiber grating strain sensors

Abstract

The feasibility of using multi-axis fiber grating strain sensors to monitor transverse strain and transverse strain gradients to complex, woven composite structures has been evaluated. This paper overviews the multi-axis fiber optic grating strain sensors and how they can be applied to measuring multidimensional strain fields interior to composite parts with complex composite weave structures. Experimental results are given for the case of a bi-axially woven composite coupon as well as for an E-glass/epoxy composite sample.