Introduction Distributed and integrated optical fibre sensors with large signal detection bandwidth and spatial discriminating capabilities feature strongly in this work, the aim of which is to derive data concerning structural conditions over dimensions ranging from millimetres to kilometres.
Current applications lie in civil and marine engineering, structural engineering and aerospace.
The research is highly multidisciplinary requiring not only advances in sensor technology but commensurate activities in data recognition and in a full structural and mechanical comprehension of the system to be measured together with its potential interaction with various optical interrogation schemes. Highlights Structural monitoring with optics and optoelectronics takes many forms. Our interest lies in combining optical fibre signal detection systems responding to a variety of structural stimuli, here ranging from very broadband laser generated ultrasound to the gradual ingress of moisture into the structural fabric. High tensile strength marine ropes are expensive and safety critical, so are replaced on a maintenance cycle well before their performance has even begun to deteriorate. A new optical fibre based modulus measurement system has been developed where the sensor can be embedded within these ropes and the system will indicate where and by how much the effective stiffness of the rope has decreased.