Reliability, availability, and maintainability considerations for fiber optical sensor applications

Abstract

The paper gives an overview of reliability, availability, and maintainability of fiber optical sensors, three key factors on which standards and validation should be based and which are required for successful industrialization. The examples given are based on two long term applications with fiber optical Bragg gratings -the surveillance of two bridges (civil engineering). However, similar reflections are required for any type of application and any optical fiber sensors. Recommendations are given to improve the confidence and acceptance of possible users in fiber optical sensing systems. It is shown that with proper installation lifetimes of 50 years are possible.

20 Years of Experience with Structural Health Monitoring of Objects with CFRP Components

“…The difference between FBG and RSG measurements increases at a rate of about 4µm/m/year. The RSG measurements have a slightly higher resolution, however, the FBG have in this case better stability over time and the increasing difference can be attributed mainly to the RSG system [ 7 ] . In case of the Stork Bridge the best suited epoxy adhesive (out of selected samples) was identi fi ed by an accelerated aging test [ 11 ] .…”

“…Especially fi ber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors have been demonstrated to operate in applications from airplanes to civil infrastructure like dams and bridges. The following sections are mainly based on [ 7 ] .…”

Reliability engineering: basics and applications for opto-electronic components and systems

“…In Winterthur, Switzerland, a stay cable bridge of length 120m, the Storchenbrücke, with a new suspension scheme was built in 1996 [28], [29]. It was for the first time that on a major bridge two cables were made of 241 CFRP wires of diameter 5mm.…”

“…Its relevance and validation, however, depends on the FIT values of the individual components. To make the most accurate estimation it is necessary to investigate failure mechanisms in a bottom up approach, i.e., for the individual components [30]- [32]. If the failure mechanisms are known and understood the temporal behavior can be modeled and lifetime estimation is possible, i.e.…”

Reliability, Standardization, and Validation of Optical Fiber Sensors

“…fiber gyroscopes or oil field sensors. For wider acceptance standardized products are needed with well understood properties and with validated performance characteristics [1][2][3][4].…”