Airbus has installed fibreoptic Bragg grating sensors in a strain measurement device on its A340-600 testbed in an evaluation of structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques for composite aircraft parts.
The sensors measure strain in composite structures by observing the reflection of light from reflecting devices along the length of the fibre. Embedded within the composite structure, the 100-150 micrometre (0.004-0.006in)- diameter optical fibres can also monitor other variables such as temperature.
Airbus considers SHMa potential weight saving solution, as it would allow less conservatively designed structures to be monitored carefully.
Source: Flight International