Composite number

Materials science

Optical fiber

Ultimate tensile strength

Telecommunications

Computer science

Physics

Optics

Degradation (telecommunications)

Composite material

Mechanics

Compressive strength

Journal of Composites Technology and Research

The published literature on the effect of optical sensors and fibers embedded in host composite materials is reviewed. The literature indicates that improperly embedded optical fibers produce local distortions and resin-rich regions in the host composite that cause structural performance degradation. This is especially true for compressive loading of relatively thin composite laminates. Tensile strength is at most only slightly degraded. The available data are inconclusive for fatigue loading.

Review of the Mechanics of Embedded Optical Sensors