One challenging need for inspection capabilities is in adhesively bonded joints between composite components, a common location of premature failure in aerospace structures. In this work we demonstrate that dynamic, full spectral scanning of FBG sensors embedded in the adhesive bond can identify changes in bond quality through the measurement of non-linear dynamics of the joint. Eighteen lap joint specimens were fabricated with varying manufacturing quality. Ten samples also included fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors embedded in the adhesive bond for real-time inspection during a simulated flight condition of these single-lap joints. Prior to testing, pulse phase thermography imaging of the pristine specimens revealed defects such as air bubbles, adhesive thickness variations, and weak bonding surface between the laminate and adhesive. The lap joint specimens were then subjected to fatigue loading, with regular interrogation of the FBG sensors at selected load cycle intervals. The FBG data was collected during vibration loading of the lap joint to represent an in-flight environment. Changes in the lap joint dynamic response, including the transition to non-linear responses, were measured from both the full-spectral and peak wavelength FBG data. These changes were correlated to initial manufacturing defects and the progression of fatigue-induced damage independently measured with pulse phase imaging and visual inspections of the failure surfaces.
Frequently, when designing a structure to incorporate integrated sensors, one sacrifices the stiffness of the system to improve sensitivity. However, the use of interferometric displacement sensors that tessellate throughout the volume of a structure has the potential to allow the precision and range of the component measurement to scale with the geometry of the device rather than the maximum strain in the structure. The design of stiff structures that measure all six resultant-load components is described. In addition, an advanced torsion sensor and a linear acceleration transducer are also discussed. Finally, invariant paths are presented that allow the in situ integrity of a structural volume to be monitored with a single pair of displacement sensors.
Since 1991, Measurement Science and Technology has awarded a Best Paper prize. The Editorial Board of this journal believes that such a prize is an opportunity to thank authors for submitting their work, and serves as an integral part of the on-going quality review of the journal. The current breadth of topical areas that are covered by MST has made it advisable to expand the recognition of excellent publications. Hence, since 2005 the Editorial Board have presented 'Outstanding Paper Awards'. This year awards were presented in the areas of 'Measurement Science' and 'Fluid Mechanics'. Although the categories mirror subject sections in the journal, the Editorial Board consider articles from all categories in the selection process. 2012 Award Winners—Measurement Science Physical characterization and performance evaluation of an x-ray micro-computed tomography system for dimensional metrology applications J Hiller1, M Maisl2 and L M Reindl3 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Produktionstorvet, Building 425, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark 2 Development Center for X-Ray Technology (EZRT), Fraunhofer Institute for Non-Destructive Testing (IZFP), Campus E3 1, 66123 Saarbrucken, Germany 3 Laboratory for Electrical Instrumentation, Institute for Microsystem Technology (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Kohler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg, Germany This year's award goes to another paper [1] dealing with micro-measurements, using a scientific measurement technique that is both old and traditional. However, it is the advent of modern technology with computational techniques that have offered new insights into the capability of the measurement method. The paper describes an x-ray computed tomography (CT) system. Such systems are increasingly used in production engineering, where non-destructive measurements of the internal geometries of workpieces can be made with high information density. CT offers important alternatives to tactile or optical measurement systems which sometimes cannot reach internal features. The subject discussed is very important for measurement science. It is concerned with the many factors that affect precision and accuracy in CT metrology. These include issues in the scanning and reconstruction process, the image processing, and the 3D data evaluation. They all influence the dimensional measurement properties of the system as a whole. Therefore, as the authors point out, it is important to know what leads to, and what are the consequences of, such things as experimental geometrical misalignment of the scanner system, or image unsharpness (blurring), or noise or image artefacts. This paper is therefore directed at the implementation of a modern CT system, identifying what is important with implementation of the technique, and what are the likely sources of systematic and random error. After a useful introduction, the paper carefully describes a 3D micro-CT system developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Non-Destructive Testing in Saarbrucken, Germany, to carry out dimensional measurements on small plastic and metal parts. Considerable emphasis is placed on the characterization of the x-ray tube, with discussion about the effective focal spot size and focus drift. Likewise, there is a detailed account of the flat-panel detector, before examining the contrast and noise transfer properties in the measuring volume. These features are important for achieving short term accuracy, whilst a later section discusses temperature measurements that affect long term accuracy. As a consequence, the image sharpness, noise or image artefacts, are evaluated. In a simple example, the length measurement property of the scanner for a given set of scanning parameters was obtained by using a calibrated ball-bar with a reference length of 8.7678 mm. Two different approaches for systematic error compensation were applied. They obtained an expanded measurement uncertainty of 6.9 µm down to 1.0 µm, which confirms the excellent dimensional measurement that can be achieved with a micro-CT scanner. The paper concludes with a useful summary of their characterization and performance studies. It also sets down possible future research activities in CT metrology. In particular, it identifies the need for development of CT scanning planning strategies to reduce measurement uncertainties in general and to minimize user influence in particular. This paper is excellent in its presentation and scientific description. Issues have been clearly described, and the paper should help establish x-ray micro-computed CT as a fully accepted measuring system in manufacturing engineering. Its contents were supported by 66 references. This helps to put the contribution into context with contributions from previous research papers. The nomination for this paper was supported by seven panel members, higher than any other paper, and it was rated as excellent during the refereeing process. 2012 Award Winners—Fluid Mechanics Polynomial element velocimetry (PEV): a technique for continuous in-plane velocity and velocity gradient measurements for low Reynolds number flows C R Samarage1,2, J Carberry2, G J Sheard2 and A Fouras1,2 1 Laboratory for Dynamic Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia 2 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia The technique proposed in this article [2] is highly relevant to the wide community of experimentalists that make use of particle image velocimetry. The authors have addressed the issue of how to accurately measure the velocity field and the velocity gradient distribution. The method proposed is elegant and innovative in that it introduces polynomial base functions to represent the spatially varying velocity field within an 'element'. The working principle is clearly described and illustrated. It is noted that the authors have taken a modest position by limiting their conclusions to the case of low Reynolds number flows. It is expected that further developments of this work could lead to successful applications at higher Reynolds numbers and turbulent flows. For the cases analyzed in this work, the authors have achieved a significant improvement in describing the velocity and the vorticity in proximity of the wall. Lastly, the authors have discussed with an open attitude the possible shortcomings of the method. They have indicated the points that will deserve attention when further research efforts are dedicated to the topic. Given the above considerations, the MST outstanding paper selection committee for measurements in fluids, chaired by Professor John Foss, has nominated this article for the MST 2012 outstanding paper award. The chairmen would like to thank the authors for choosing to publish their work in Measurement Science and Technology, and hope that other researchers enjoy reading these works and feel encouraged to submit their own best work to the journal. References [1] Hiller J, Maisl M and Reindl L M 2012 Physical characterization and performance evaluation of an x-ray micro-computed tomography system for dimensional metrology applications Meas. Sci. Technol. 23 085404 (18pp) [2] Samarage C R, Carberry J, Sheard G J and Fouras A 2012 Polynomial element velocimetry (PEV): a technique for continuous in-plane velocity and velocity gradient measurements for low Reynolds number flows Meas. Sci. Technol. 23 105304 (16pp)
Frequently in designing a structure to incorporate integrated sensors the stiffness of the system is sacrificed to improve sensitivity. By incorporating finite length measurement paths that tessellate throughout the volume of a structure, a measurement's sensitivity can be optimized while retaining structural rigidity. Thus the transducer element can be utilized as a critical load-bearing structure. Within the framework of linear elastostatics, the normal, transverse, and shear components of strain along a path can be integrated over a finite length to separate and yield external loading components. These measurements over a long distance accommodate the use of fiber- optic displacement sensors. The use of interferometric sensors in contrast with electrical strain gauges allows the precision and range of the component measurements to scale with the geometry of the device rather than the maximum strain in the structure. It becomes possible by virtue of these scaling properties to construct a stiff yet sensitive device. The design of stiff structures that measure all six resultant-load-components using both piezo-resistive and interferometric sensors is described. An advanced torsion sensor and a linear acceleration transducer are also discussed. In addition, invariant paths have been found that allow the in-situ integrity of a structural volume to be monitored with a single pair of displacement sensors. Finally, practical considerations in the design of finite length sensor path transducers are noted.
The goal of a structural health monitoring system is to detect, locate, and identify damages in a structure during its lifetime. The concept of structural health monitoring is particularly important for fiber reinforced composites due to the complexity of the possible failure mechanisms. The goal of this work is to simulate the response of optical fiber Bragg grating sensors to multi-component loading for their implementation in structural health monitoring algorithms for composites. A simulation method is presented to determine the effects of axial, bending and shear loading on an embedded optical fiber Bragg grating sensor. The effect of fiber bending on the Bragg grating sensor is experimentally verified by embedding the sensor in a solid cone, clamped at the base and subjected to a point load at the apex. Next, a numerically efficient method to calculate the response of sensors embedded in a unidirectional composite is developed using both finite element analysis and optimal shear-lag theory and taking into account the above effects. The limitations of the optimal shear-lag theory are derived through comparison with the finite element results. The application of this method is demonstrated through a numerical example, simulating the response of sensors embedded in one fiber layer to a transverse crack.
Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are widely recognized for their unobtrusive sensing character and multiplexing possibilities. Within this article, these advantages are fully exploited through the development of a high-speed full-spectral FBG interrogation system capable of simultaneously reading out a range of FBG sensors. For the first time, the full-spectra of multiplexed FBG sensors are dynamically interrogated up to 100 kHz with a spectral resolution down to 40 pm. The feasibility of this unique sensing system is demonstrated using carbon fiber integrally stiffened panels which are monitored for their structural health. Detailed analysis based on the full-spectral datasets is enabling the assessment of non-linear events involving non-uniform strain distributions, such as impact loading. Moreover, we show real-time visualization of these impact events based on the multiplexed FBG responses.
The use and viability of fiber Bragg grating sensors in sandwich composite structures for the purpose of structural health monitoring under low velocity impact. Initially, a group of twelve specimens were tested to characterize the impact response of sandwich composite structures. Each specimen test consisted of repeated impacts at a constant impact energy to measure and observe damage progression. Once this was completed, a single optical fiber with a fiber Bragg grating was embedded in the structure between the core and the faceplate to and measured using a laser. The shift and deformation of the reflected spectrum from the fiber Bragg grating sensor resulting from each strike was analyzed and the corresponding strain was measured. The peak wavelength shift measurements did not have a strong correlation to the accumulation of damage in the sandwich laminate. However, the spectral distortion did evolve throughout the initial accumulation of damage in the laminate. Further analysis of the spectrum is needed to correlate the spectral response to the damage modes.
'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(23.036 .093 25.536)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(45.87 1.273 16.18)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(69.945 .996 12.078)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(20.66 -19.689 31.932)'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)