Vol.5, No1, 2005, pp. 19-30
 UDC 687.7-19.017

DAMAGE MONITORING OF COMPOSITE LAMINATES BY MEANS OF INTENSITY BASED FIBEROPTIC SENSORS

Aleksandar Kojović, Petar Uskoković, Radoslav Aleksić, Dragan Mitraković 1

Irena Živković, Miloš Tomić 2

Ljiljana Brajović 3

Stevan Milinković 4

1 Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade

2 Institute of Security, Belgrade

3 Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade

4 Faculty of Computer Science, Belgrade

Abstract

The paper deals with the research in applying optical fibres (OF) as intensity-based sensors in real-time damage detection of laminar composite materials.

For experimental purposes, thermoplastic laminar composite materials with embedded optical fibres were made. Manufactured specimens of aramid fiber/poly(vinyl butyral) with embedded optical fibres were subjected to various loads: static loading by indentation on the adapted tensile testing machine, low blow on Charpy pendulum, and ballistic impact by standard weaponry and ammunition. Initiation of damage and fracture during laminate testing was observed from the intensity drop of the light signal transmitted through the optical fibre.

Experimental results confirmed that optical fibres could be applied as intensity sensors in real-time monitoring of structural changes in thermoplastic laminar composite materials.

Keywords: damage monitoring, thermoplastic composite materials, intensity-based fibre optic sensors, indentation

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