Development of a detachable sensor design for the damage assessment of thin-walled fiber composite structures using fiber optic measurement technology

Kurzfassung

This thesis investigated a novel method for detecting subsurface damage in composite structures. The approach was based on monitoring local stiffness changes caused by internal defects. A removable, reusable Fiber Optic Sensor (FOS) patch was developed to detect such stiffness discontinuities. The patches consisted of a specific geometry of optical fibers encapsulated within a thin protective layer. It was applied to the surface of a structure using a vacuum-bag setup (or in some cases a pressure-sensitive adhesive). The structure was mechanically loaded while the fibers recorded the surface strain distribution along the patch. Any abrupt jumps in the strain profile indicated potential damage locations. This approach was intended to enable rapid, reusable structural health monitoring of composite components. The patch and vacuum-application method represent a novel approach to health-monitoring with FOS.