Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

A recurring issue relating to composites with embedded optical fibers is the concern that optical fibers will act as unintended crack initiators leading to untimely failure of the host structure. Previous studies have shown that there is little or no reduction in load-carrying ability as long as an optical fiber is embedded between similar plies and the optical fiber is, predominantly, in the fiber direction of these plies. However, most composite structures also contain structural details with inherent stress concentrations, and a need exists to investigate whether the introduction of embedded optical fibers into these regions will affect the load-carrying ability. In the present study, one composite lay-up containing ply-drops and one bolted joint configuration were studied. Results indicate that embedded optical fibers will not in general affect the structural integrity, as they did not initiate failure.

Keywords

smart structures embedded sensors optical fibers structural integrity failure mechanisms ply-drops bolted joints

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Measures, R. M. , Glossop, N. D. W. , Lymer, J. , Leblanc, M. , West, J. , Dubois, S. , Tsaw, W. and Tennyson, R. C. (1989). Structurally Integrated Fiber Optic Damage Assessment System for Composite Materials, Applied Optics, 28: 2626–2633.

2. Measures, R. M. (1990). Fiber Optics in Composite Materials–Materials with Nerves of Glass, Fiber Optic Sensors IV, SPIE 1267: 241–247.

3. Measures, R. M. , LeBlanc, M. , Liu, K. , Ferguson, S. , Valis, T. , Hogg, D. , Turner, R. and McEwen, K. (1992). Fiber Optic Sensors for Smart Structures, Optics and Lasers in Engineering, 16: 127–152.

4. Jensen, D. W. , Pascual, J. and August, J. A. (1992). Performance of Graphite/Bismaleimide Laminates with Embedded Optical Fibers. Part I: Uniaxial Tension, Smart Materials and Structures, 1: 24–30.

5. Jensen, D. W. , Pascual, J. and August, J. A. (1992). Performance of Graphite/Bismaleimide Laminates with Embedded Optical Fibers. Part II: Uniaxial Compression, Smart Materials and Structures, 1: 31–35.

6. Singh, H. and Sirkis, J. S. (1991). Micromechanics of Laminated Composites with Embedded Fibers, Optical Fiber Sensor-Based Smart Materials and Structures, pp. 55–64.

7. Sirkis, J. (1988). Interferometric Optical Fiber Strain Sensor Under Biaxial Loading, In: Proceedings of Optical Fiber Sensors, pp. 203–207.

8. Sirkis, J. S. , Chang, C. C. and Smith, B. T. (1994). Low Velocity Impact of Optical Fiber Embedded Laminated Graphite/Epoxy Panels. Part I: Macro-Scale, J. Composite Materials, 28: 1347–1370.

9. Susuki, I. , Sindelar, P. and Levin, K. (1994). Static and Fatigue Strength Properties of Graphite/Epoxy Laminates with Embedded Optical Fibers, Report FFA TN 1994-08, The Aeronautical Research Institute of Sweden, Bromma, Sweden.

10.

10. Skontorp, A. (1999). Structural Integrity of Quasi-Isotropic Composite Laminates with Embedded Optical Fibers, to be published in J. Reinforced Plastics and Composites.

11.

11. Curry, J. M. , Johnson, E. R. and Starnes, J. H. (1987). Effect of Dropped Plies on the Strength of Graphite-Epoxy Laminates, Paper 87-0874. In: Proceedings of the AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS 28th Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, Part 1, pp. 737–747.

12.

12. Murri, G. B. , O’Brien, T. K. and Salpekar, S. A. (1990). Tension Fatigue of Glass/Epoxy and Graphite/Epoxy Tapered Laminates, NASA Technical Memorandum 102628, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA.

13.

13. Botting, A. D. , Vizzini, A. J. and Sung, S. W. (1992). The Effect of Ply-Drop Configuration on the Delamination Strength of Tapered Composite Structures, Paper AIAA-92-2227-CP, In: Proceedings of the AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS 33rd Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Part 1, pp. 40–47.

14.

14. Armanios, E. A. and Parnas, L. (1991). Delamination Analysis of Tapered Laminated Composites Under Tensile Loading. In: O’Brien, T. K. (ed.), Composite Materials: Fatigue and Fracture (Vol. 3), ASTM STP 1110, pp. 340–358, American Society of Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA.

15.

15. Fish, J. C. and Vizzini, A. J. (1993). Delamination of Ply-Drop Configurations. In: Camponeschi, E. T., Jr. (ed.), Composite Materials: Testing and Design (Vol. 11), ASTM STP 1206, pp. 323–332, American Society of Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA.

16.

16. Cahamho, P. P. and Matthews, F. L. (1997). Stress Analysis and Strength Prediction of Mechanically Fastened Joints in FRP: A Review, Composites, Part A, 28A: 529–547.

17.

17. Benchekchou, B. and White, R. G. (1995). Stresses Around Fasteners in Composite Structures in Flexure and Effects on Fatigue Damage Initiation Part 1: Cheese-Head Bolts, Composite Structures, 33: 95–108.

Composites with Embedded Optical Fibers at Structural Details with Inherent Stress Concentrations

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References