Materials Today: Proceedings 62 (2022) 950–956

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Materials Today: Proceedings

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/matpr

Structural health monitoring of fiber reinforced composites using

integrated fiber optics network
Amos Gamaleal David a,⇑, R. Vimal Sam Singh b, S. Akash b, V. Sandhya b
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Panimalar Institute of Technology, Chennai, India
b
Department of Mechanical Engineering, SSN College of Engineering, Chennai, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This study investigates the detection of internal crack in a material using reinforced optic fiber bundle.
Available online 13 April 2022 There are many external crack detection techniques available but when we look upon internal crack there
are only few techniques available which is complex and expensive. So, to overcome this problem we
Keywords: adopted this internal crack detection technique which is compact and cheap using the grid system.
Optical Fiber bundle The scope of our study is to solve the general problem which occurs during manufacturing of a product
Composite which exposes the final material under stress. Four samples were made which had Glass Fiber Mat and
Crack Detection
the Optic Fiber induced into the samples in X and Y axis. Then the sample was subjected to Drop Impact
Glass Fiber
Structural Health Monitoring
Test and Flexural Test through which the damage was induced. The light was passed through the optic
fiber bundle in uniform way at the entrance. The intensity of light was measured using the lux meter
and the change in intensity of light before and after testing was depicted in the graph. It was found that
the variation in the optic fiber damage where the crack was induced were able to be detected at the exit
fibers arranged in the linear way. Thus the grid points were noted down and the point of damage was able
to be narrowed down using this technique The exact effect of this study can be employed in the construc-
tion site which are located in the earthquake prone zones so that we can identify the internal cracks in
the building and protect them before major accident occurs in the future.
Copyright Ó 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Second International
Conference on Engineering Materials, Metallurgy and Manufacturing.

1. Introduction Damage Detection is a key feature in the SHM through which

Structural health monitoring (SHM) in the recent years has
gained lot of importance exponentially. Since the structures that
are being built are gigantic involving high end technology inte-
grated in it, the importance of monitoring the health of the struc-
ture right from its inception is a challenging task. The damages that
are inhibited are in the micro level and as the time goes by it prop-
agates into a major crack and hence leads to collapse of the struc-
ture. Most of the time the cracks go unnoticed leading to vast
devastation. Many Researchers have come up with novel solution
to monitor the health of the structure and still enormous research
is being done in this field to enhance the accuracy of the prediction
beforehand. [1]
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: amosgamadavid@gmail.com (A.G. David), vimalsam-
singhr@ssn.edu.in (R. Vimal Sam Singh), akash18010@mech.ssn.edu.in (S. Akash),
sandhya18144@mech.ssn.edu.in (V. Sandhya).
the deformation in the structure can be monitored with the help
of self-sensing technology[2–4] Damage is just a local change in
its material property thorough which degradation occurs in the
structural performance. The Crack may be just an initial failure
point but when left unnoticed it can lead to a major drop in the
structural strengths in terms of a percentage[5]. Even though these
cracks produces negligible changes but the repercussions turns out
to be catastrophic. These Damages can be detected by comparing
the before and after responses through sensors. The sensors would
be able to give information through signals and we cannot deter-
mine the damage occurred.[6,7] The signals and responses received
before and after can be processed to come to conclusion that a
damage can occurred in its vicinity.[8]
Optical Fiber transmits the light pulse over a long fiber in which
total internal reflection takes place[9,10] This Total Internal Reflec-
tion property can be used to figure out any damage in the fiber
when a light source is projected at one end and at the rear end
the intensity of light can be measured. When there is a change in

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.04.079
2214-7853/Copyright Ó 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Second International Conference on Engineering Materials, Metallurgy and Manufacturing.
Amos Gamaleal David, R. Vimal Sam Singh, S. Akash et al.
intensity by a vast difference which indirectly means that the fiber
has been damaged somewhere down the line and hence the inten-
sity is not matching the source projected. This method was used by
researchers in the past and present to detect flaws in the optic fiber
[6,11,12]. Many damage sensing technology using optic fiber
involves this method and it seems to be very expensive. Hence a
novel and simple method has been suggested through this research
in which a grid is used to detect cracks in the structure allowing
the system to sense and detect the damage early as soon the crack
is formed.
2. Methodology
Optic fibers are embedded inside a Glass Fiber Mat (Fig. 1) by
hand weaving method at equal intervals in the X and Y axes. The
protruding fibers are sized equally and bundled together and con-
nected to the source where a high powered LED is about to be
shone on it [13,14]. The Exiting fibers are placed in the order in a
stacked way(Fig. 3) and then numbered for monitoring purpose.
Same way the Y axis fibers are also placed at equal intervals in
the Y direction. All fibers were checked priorly for any interior
damages and only the near perfect fibers which emit more or less
the same Luminance are taken and weaved in the GFM[15].
When the light emitted from the source is same at the receiving
end it means that the fiber is free from any damage or rupture[5]. If
the intensity of the light varies beyond a particular range then that
particular strand of fiber has undergone a damage somewhere in
between. Using this technique the minor or major damage in the
fiber can be detected initially in the system[16]. Locating the dam-
age can also be done using the grid system as they have been num-
bered initially.
The System involves a bundled fiber input and an arrayed out-
put of the optic fiber. Through this a uniform light source can be
transmitted at the entry and the output can be monitored individ-
ually as shown in Fig. 3. Through this technique.
The cracks shown in Fig. 2 can be identified by comparing the
intensity of light from the source to the luminescence received at
Fig. 1. Schematic Diagram of the Grid with Optic fiber woven composite with Source and Receiver.
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Materials Today: Proceedings 62 (2022) 950–956
the end of the particular fiber strand. Red lines on the right are
the fibers which have been damaged due to the application of load
on the GFM in the X Direction. Green lines indicate the damaged
fibers in the Y direction. Minor cracks can be also sensed as long
as the crack doesn’t fall in between the least scale of the grid. To
improve its accuracy more minute and closer grid can be weaved
to enhance the accuracy of the system. The Grid system allows
us to find out the damaged point which in turns locates the point
of crack.
3. Experimental procedure
3.1. Materials used
For the Matrix, Resin (LY556) and Hardener (HY951) was used
in the ratio 10: 1 by volume. The fiber for the composite was from
fiber glass mat (woven type). The optic fiber used was made up of
PMMA (Poly methyl methacrylate) of 2 mm and 1 mm diameter.
Silicon spray was used for non-adhesiveness to the polythene sheet
during hand layup. Led Light Source and Lux meter (MECO 930 T).
3.2. Specimen preparation
Four specimen were made and named OFM(Optic Fiber Mat) as
OFM1, OFM2, OFM3 and OFM4. OFM1 and OFM3 have 1 mm diam-
eter Optic fiber weaved in it and OFM2 and OFM4 have 2 mm
diameter optic fiber weaved in it. The dimensions of the specimen
are shown in the table.
The Glass fiber mat was cut to the required dimensions and the
optical fiber was woven at both X and Y axes. Polythene sheet was
taped to the metal plate, silicon spray was used to make the mat to
be non-adhesive to the polythene sheet. In the First Layer the
Epoxy Resin was applied initially and the GFM was laid over the
matrix and rolled using the Steel roller using the hand layup
method. The layup hierarchical process has been shown in Fig. 4.
For the Second layer the Epoxy Resin Matrix was again applied
and the GFM was layered in place. If there are any air bubbles
Amos Gamaleal David, R. Vimal Sam Singh, S. Akash et al.
Fig. 2. Schematic Diagram of the system having cracks in the composite marked in blue. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is
referred to the web version of this article.)
Fig. 3. The Input Source with the optic fiber bundled together for uniform transmission of light through LED source. Output stacked in an array format to find out the
damaged fiber‘s reduction in intensity of light.
trapped in between the layers and the matrix it was removed using
the Hot air dryer was used to remove the air bubbles. Then the pro-
cedure is repeated for the second layer. For the third layer the
woven optic fiber was laid following the same procedure. The
4th and 5th layer are repeated as per the 1st layer. The top Steel
plate was placed over the freshly made composite specimen and
the dead weight was placed on it. The Composite was left for cur-
ing for about 48 h and then it was opened for further testing and
observation.Fig. 5.
3.3. Drop test
The standard procedure followed for a drop test was orches-
trated. A 2 kg solid steel ball was dropped from a height of 1.5 m
on OFM1 and OFM2 which have 1 mm diameter and 2 mm diam-
eter optic fiber weaved in it were subjected to tests and the spec-
imen underwent a dent where a core was formed due to the impact
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Materials Today: Proceedings 62 (2022) 950–956
of the steel ball[17]. The diameter of the impact core was found to
be 12.7 mm for the both the specimen. The room temperature was
maintained during the test. The Impact was observed to be deep
and it was confirmed that it has penetrated the optic fiber in the
middle of the OFM. This affirms that the optic fiber has undergone
a damage and hence there will be discontinuity in the transmission
of light when the LED source is projected at the source. The drop
test samples have been attached Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.
3.4. Flexural test
The Flexural testing was done according to ASTMD790 to find
its flexural properties. The specimen was fixed to a three point
bend fixture which was conducted in a Universal Testing system
as shown in Fig. 8. The movable column was made to plunge in
by applying a load gradually. The specimen started to bend or
deflect from its original form through which the maximum flexural
Amos Gamaleal David, R. Vimal Sam Singh, S. Akash et al.
Fig. 4. The order in which the layering of composite was done. The Optic fib woven
GFM was sandwiched between 4 layers of GFM.
Fig. 5. OFM1 Specimen showing the cracks formed due to the drop test.
stress was obtained. It was observed that OFM3 was able to with-
stand the flexural load of 0.886kN and OFM4 was able to withstand
a flexural load of 0.658kN. The Specimen images before the testing
was carried out has been shown in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10.
4. Results and discussion
The discontinuity of the optic fiber was predominant in the
specimen as it has undergone the drop test and flexural test. The
specimens were analyzed using the setup as shown in the Fig. 3
through which observations were made and tabulated. OFM1 and
OFM2 point of discontinuity was observed from the graph.
In OFM1 as shown in Fig. 10 the X axis was distributed equally
into 12 units and the Y axis was distributed into 12 as well and the
optic fiber was hand weaved into the GFM. The intensity of light
passing through the optic fiber was found to be in the range of
11.95  103 lx to 12.55  103 lx. This range was calculated based
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Materials Today: Proceedings 62 (2022) 950–956
Fig. 6. OFM2 Specimen showing the cracks formed due to the drop test.
Fig. 7. ASTM D790 Testing done on OFM3 and OFM4.
on several observations using the Lux Meter and this value was
pertained to the optic fiber which was purchased. It can be
observed that in the X axis at point 2,3,4 there seems to be a major
variation in the intensity from 12.55  103 lx it has dropped down
to 6.95  103 lx and 9.22  103 lx. Similarly at the points 9 and 10
there is sharp dip in the intensity where it was observed to be at
6.42  103 lx and 6.31  103 lx. The Y axis points also shows major
difference at points 2,3 where 9.27  103 lx and 9.16  103 lx was
observed. At points 7,8,9,10,11 there seems to be a major drop in
the curve indicating the luminescence decrease, especially at point
8 where 4.31  103 lx is observed. When the Coordinates of these
points were compared with the specimen it was found that the
points (2,3,9,10) and (2,3,7,8,9,10) matched the point of impact
in the OFM1. These points were observed to be the points were
damage or the impact core has occurred.
In OFM2 as shown in Fig. 11 the X axis and Y axis were divided
into 9 units equally. The average intensity of light observed
through the 2 mm diameter of optic fiber was around
30  103 lx. It can be observed from the graph that point 3,5,6,9
in the X axis has undergone a drop in luminescence where
10.03  103 lx is observed at point 3 and 22.13  103 lx to
Amos Gamaleal David, R. Vimal Sam Singh, S. Akash et al. Materials Today: Proceedings 62 (2022) 950–956

Fig. 8. OFM3 Specimen having 1 mm diameter optic fiber in the middle.

Fig. 9. OFM4 Specimen having 2 mm diameter optic fiber in the middle.

Fig. 11. Graph showing the variation in Luminescence on the OFM2.

Fig. 10. Graph showing the variation in Luminescence on the OFM1.

plotted carefully it can be found that these corresponding points

25.07  103 lx at point 5 and 6. Similarly in the Y axis at point 3,5,6
directly lead to the point of impact in the OFM2.Table 1.
seemed to be have a drop in luminescence. When the points are

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Amos Gamaleal David, R. Vimal Sam Singh, S. Akash et al. Materials Today: Proceedings 62 (2022) 950–956

Table 1
Table showing the Specimen name and its dimensions.

Specimen Name Length (mm) Breadth(mm) Width(mm)

OFM1 300 300 6
OFM2 300 300 7
OFM3 150 30 6
OFM4 150 30 7

The specimen OFM3 with 1 mm diameter optic fiber was sub-

jected to Flexural testing and the results of the luminescence at
the various points were found out and plotted in the graph in
Fig. 12. It can be observed that the X axis has been divided into
12 units and Y axis into 2 units. It is because of the size of the spec-
imen which has to be used to ASTM D790 standard. The size of the
specimen has been mentioned in Fig. 4. Due to the size restriction
the distribution of weave had to be 12 and 2 in OFM3. It can be
seen in the graph that there is major dip in the points 6,7,8 in
the X axis as the load was applied at the middle of the specimen
during the test. The intensity was observed to be 5.42  103 lx,
6.31  103 lx and 10.98  103 lx at those points. Similarly in the
Y axis as there were only 2 divisions both the points had to Fig. 13. Graph showing the variation in Luminescence on the OFM4.

undergo the fiber damage and hence the values were found to be
2.46  103 lx and 3.48  103 lx. Thus it is very obvious that the
5. Conclusion
points that have undergone the fiber damage could be identified
when plotted.
The observation from this research seems to be decisive and
In the specimen OFM4 the damage of the fiber was observed as
dependable as the targeted area was mapped perfectly with the
shown in Fig. 13 at points 6,7 in the X axis with the light intensity
grid system and the point of crack was able to be found out with
at 7.51  103 lx and 6.03  103 lx. At the Y axis it was observed that
the help of the coordinates. This method is simple and conclusive
both the division had undergone a damage in the fiber as it indi-
and it takes very less time in detecting the damages in the system.
cates 3.97  103 lx and 4.02  103 lx.
Even though the damages occurred were large and visually seen.
From these observations it is very clear that this method was
The minor cracks can also be detected when the optic fiber size
able to predict the damage in the optical fiber to the nearest point
can be reduced and the Grid distance least scale can be reduced
in the Grid. It can be seen that in OFM1, OFM2 even though the
further. This would enhance the accuracy of the system and the
specimen was big in size the damage occurred were plotted pre-
detection of the crack can be more precise. This kind of sensor
cisely to the nearest point and it was confirmed with the fiber
can be embedded inside a structure when the structure is being
damage intensity of light. The minimum detection of the crack in
built or placed inside the structure upon slitting after building
this setup is to the range of 0.5 mm to 1 mm that is due to the fact
the structure. Periodical monitoring or sequential monitoring can
of the spacing of optic fiber in that range. When the fiber is weaved
carried out with just a light source at the entry and the readings
with much closer proximity the ranging capacity can be consider-
at the exit can be tabulated through which any change in intensity
ably increased.
can be noted down and monitored further more. When the inten-
sity takes a major drop it can be concluded that a crack has prop-
agated inside the structure at a particular point in the grid and
further action can be taken to avoid major damage to the structure.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Amos Gamaleal David: Mechanical testing and Optical Inspec-

tion, Data Analyze and Interpretation. R. Vimal Sam Singh: Con-
ceptualization. Akash S: Fabrication of Composite Sandhya V:
Fabrication of Composite.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-

cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
to influence the work reported in this paper.

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