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Assessment of Mechanical Strength Degradation Using an Embedded Fiber-Optic Sensor

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A general method is presented for in situ assessment of mechanical strength degradation of materials or components using an embedded interferometric fiber-optic strain sensor. This method is based on the analysis of acoustic signature responses resulting from mechanical excitation of the subject under investigation. Acoustic signature responses are observed by monitoring light intensity changes resulting from the combination of light signals traveling through the embedded optical fiber (experiencing dimensional changes through vibrational excitation) and an external optical fiber. This paper discusses the fundamental aspects of the methodology and its potential investigational pathways and applications. A case study, addressing unobservable corrosion related degradation of aircraft fuselage lap joints is presented as an example for retrieving information and to demonstrate the correlations between material properties and fiber-optic interferometric measurements. The application of inverse method analysis for the interpretation of response signals is also discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a Naval Research Laboratory core program on data-driven inverse analysis of materials and system response.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science and Technology Division, Codes 6350 and 6390, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375-5000, USA

    H.N. Jones & S.G. Lambrakos

  2. Acoustics Division, Code 7134, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375-5000, USA

    N. Lagakos

  3. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375-5000, USA

    P.P. Trzaskoma-Paulette

Authors
  1. H.N. Jones
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  2. N. Lagakos
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  3. S.G. Lambrakos
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  4. P.P. Trzaskoma-Paulette
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S.G. Lambrakos.

Additional information

P.P. Trzaskoma-Paulette is presently working as an Independent Consultant

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Jones, H., Lagakos, N., Lambrakos, S. et al. Assessment of Mechanical Strength Degradation Using an Embedded Fiber-Optic Sensor. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 17, 64–69 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-007-9130-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-007-9130-3

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