An Influence of Temperature on Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor Embedded into Additive Manufactured Structure

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a name for techniques applied for constructing three-dimensional (3D) objects in a layer-by-layer process. AM methods can be applied for creating elements from polymers without and with reinforcing fibers. During the process, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors can be embedded into the element structure for the purpose of structural health monitoring (SHM) system development. Such an approach combines in one, advantages of AM (limited waste, elements with complex shape) and SHM system (safety, information about real loading conditions). Such a method can be applied for the manufacturing of different elements applied in many branches of industry, e.g. marine or civil engineering. The goal of the paper is to analyze the possibility of FBG sensors embedding into an AM polymeric elements without and with carbon fiber reinforcement. The analyzes are focused on the influence of the manufacturing process on FBG sensors (both spectrum and strain). Additionally, the influence of temperature (both elevated and sub-zero) on the finished AM elements was be investigated.