Theoretical Analysis and Experimental Study on Distributed Fiber Optical Strain Sensing Precision

Abstract:

The systematic theoretical analysis and experimental study on distributed fiber optical strain sensing precision are performed from perspective of mechanics for the first time. Based on considering the mechanical coupling action between optical fiber and matrix, the analytical approach and model for analyzing the coupling effect namely strain transfer relationship is established systematically, the theoretical formulation and strain measurement precision range are obtained. The effects of fiber optical coating parameters on optical fiber’s ability to perceive strain are analyzed, and according to analytical results the sensing optical fiber sensing sample applicable to practical engineering is developed. The experiments with distributed strain measurement for ordinary communication optical fiber and developed sample are conducted respectively. It is found the outcomes of theoretical analysis of strain measurement precision tend to be higher, but not exceed measured data by 2%, which shows the proposed analytical approach is basically applicable.