Optimization of Elastic Properties of Composite Laminates Using Fiber-Optic Strain Sensors

The paper is devoted to combined computational and experimental approach for estimation of the elastic mechanical properties of structures made of laminate polymer composite materials (PCM). The computational component of the technique is connected with numerical simulation of mechanical behavior during quasistatic deformation of structures made of PCM. The experimental component is based on measurement of strains by fiber-optic strain sensors (FOSS) with Bragg gratings (FBG sensors), embedded in composite laminates or attached to them. The principle of the proposed method is based on the comparison of the data from FBG sensors, placed in the predetermined control points in the composite structure, with the data of numerical finite element modelling of the same structure. To refine the elastic constants in accordance with the information received from the FBG sensors, an algorithm is proposed, according to which the inverse problems are solved in order to ensure that the numerical and experimental results coincide with the specified accuracy. The implementation of the algorithm is demonstrated on the example case studies.