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

Optical Fiber
SNELLS LAW:
n1 sin = n2 sin
where n is refractive index
1
n1
n2

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. (n1 >n2)
In practice, there is a third protective layer
called jacket.

Ray Transmission through an

Optical Fiber

Critical angle of reflection

(sin c= n2 /n1)

Fiber Optic Sensors

Basic Components:
source of light

demodulator

a length of sensing

processing and display optics

(and transmission) fiber

a photo-detector

required electronics

Fiber Optic Sensors

E x te r n a l P e r tu r b a tio n
o p tic a l c h a n g e s
r e fr a c t iv e in d e x
m o d e c o n v e r s io n

g e o m e tr ic a l c h a n g e s
s iz e
shape

o p tic a l r a d ia tio n c h a n g e
a m p lit u d e ( in t e n s it y )

phase

fr e q u e n c y

p o la r iz a t io n

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 radiofrequency 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.

Fiber Optic Strain Sensors

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
can be placed into a pre-drilled hole
body.
and grouted.
can be cast directly into the
Diameters are 3mm and 30 mm.
wet mix
range, +/- 1000, 1500micro strain
can be encapsulated into a
resolution <0.01% full scale
concrete briquette, then cast
into wet concrete
Temperature range, -55 oC to 85oC

Product: Embeddable EFPI Strain Gage

Luna Innovations Inc.
2-10 mm length, 350 micrometer outer diameter
sensitivity, +/- 5000 micro strain
resolution <1
Temperature range, -100 oC to 350oC
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