Fiber optic smart structures

Abstract

Fiber optic sensors can be embedded into composite material used for a wide variety of lightweight structures supporting aircraft, spacecraft, automobiles and boats. Their environmental ruggedness has also allowed them to be embedded in concrete structures including buildings, dams, and bridges. Most recently it has been proposed that the very long gauge lengths associated with fiber sensors could be used to monitor widely dispersed natural structures such as earthquake fault lines and volcanic motion. This paper will review the fiber optic sensors associated with smart structures and how they are being applied.