Encapsulation of Fiber Optic Sensors in 3D Printed Packages for Use in Civil Engineering Applications: A Preliminary Study.

Richard Scott,Sanjay Chikermane,Kenneth Grattan,Miodrag Vidakovic,Brett Mckinley,Pradipta Banerji,Tong Sun

doi:10.3390/s19071689

Richard Scott, Sanjay Chikermane + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/s19071689

Copy DOI

Abstract

Fiber optic sensors have considerable potential for measuring strains in the challenging environment posed by today’s civil engineering applications. Their long-term reliability and stability are particularly important attributes for assessing, with confidence, effects such as cracking and response to normal (and abnormal) loads. However, given the fragile nature of the bare fiber, the sensors must be packaged to achieve adequate robustness but the resulting increased cost of installation can frequently limit the number of sensors which can be installed or their use may have to be ruled out altogether due to these financial constraints. There is thus potential for the development of a more affordable type of packaging and this paper describes work undertaken to produce a cost-effective and easy-to-use technique for encapsulating fiber optic sensors in resin, taking advantage of 3D printing techniques which are widely available and at low cost. This approach can be used to produce a robust, inexpensive packaged sensor system which is seen as being suitable to be extended to a wider range of uses including installation in concrete structures prior to casting. To evaluate this approach, several such 3D printed package types and geometries are described and their behavior is assessed from a programme of laboratory trials, the results of which are presented in this paper. This proof-of-concept testing has demonstrated the considerable potential which 3D printed packages have and the scope for further development and consequent use in civil engineering applications. Areas showing promise and potential, which have been identified from the work undertaken, are discussed.

Highlights

There is an ongoing need to measure strains in reinforced concrete structures both in the laboratory and in the field
There are, potentially, many situations where optical fiber sensors could be used successfully in civil engineering applications because they are immune, or at least relatively immune when compared with other sensor types, to electromagnetic interference and moisture ingress
Problem be overcome withcan more inexpensive devices and there is aand potential there is a potential market for a reliable, robust, low cost, packaged optical fiber sensor that can be sort of market for a reliable, robust, low cost, packaged optical fiber sensor that can be used in this used in this sort of environment, and this paper reports work to date by the authors to develop such environment, and this paper reports work to date by the authors to develop such a product

Summary

Introduction

There is an ongoing need to measure strains in reinforced concrete structures both in the laboratory and in the field. There are, potentially, many situations where optical fiber sensors could be used successfully in civil engineering applications because they are immune, or at least relatively immune when compared with other sensor types, to electromagnetic interference and moisture ingress. They have the Sensors 2019, 19, x FOR PEER REVIEW advantage of being small, compact and lightweight and have attracted considerable research interest in recent years [1,2,3,4,5,6]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion