Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Strain measurements and damage detection in large composite structures by fiber optics sensors

  • J. Sierra
  • , A. Güemes
  • , M. Gómez

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingConference and proceedingspeer-review

    1 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    A 13.5 meters prototype of blade designed by Cener for a 150 kW wind turbine machine, made with glass fiber and vinylester resin doped with carbon nanofibers, was manufactured by Grupo Antolín using a new technique called Light RTM. The blade was done as a monocoque structure with a PVC foam core. Indra and UPM have developed a methodology for instrumenting the blade with fiber optic sensors embedded into the structure during the manufacturing process. Two different sensing techniques were embedded into the blade: Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) and a plain fiber optic for Distributed Sensing using an Optical Backscatter Reflectometer (OBR). By means of a novel and robust automated technique based in strain field pattern recognition, a study of detectability of defects was performed for the blade under different load scenarios. Several static tests were conducted, including a test campaign with known artificial damages induced into the structure and the sensitivity of the technique was evaluated. The results showed that every damages could be detected by using both sensing techniques.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication16th European Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM 2014
    PublisherEuropean Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM
    ISBN (Electronic)9780000000002
    StatePublished - 2014
    Event16th European Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM 2014 - Seville, Spain
    Duration: 22 Jun 201426 Jun 2014

    Publication series

    Name16th European Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM 2014

    Conference

    Conference16th European Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM 2014
    Country/TerritorySpain
    CitySeville
    Period22/06/1426/06/14

    Keywords

    • Fiber optic sensors
    • Principal component analysis
    • Strain field
    • Structural health monitoring
    • Wind turbine blades

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Strain measurements and damage detection in large composite structures by fiber optics sensors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this