• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.145-155
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• 2016

The Pulse-Pre Pump Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (PPP-BOTDA) technique is introduced to implement the multi-direction strain measurement. The monitoring principle is stated. The layout scheme of optical fibers is proposed. The temperature compensation formula and its realizing method are given. The experiments, under tensile load, combined bending and tensile load, are implemented to validate the feasibility of the proposed method. It is shown that the PPP-BOTDA technique can be used to discriminate the multi-direction strains with high spatial resolution and precision.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.757-766
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• 2004

This paper focuses on the formulation and validation of an automatic strategy to select the optimal location and direction of strain gauges for the measurement of the modal response. These locations and directions are important to render the strain measurements as robust as possible when a random mispositioning of the gauges and gauge failures are expected. The approach relies on the evaluation of the signal-to-noise ratios of the gauge measurements from strain data of finite element. The multi-step optimization strategy including genetic algorithm is used to find the strain gauge locations-directions that maximize the smallest modal strain signal-to-noise ratio in the absence of gauge failure or its expected value when gauge failure is possible. A flat Plate is used to prove the applicability of the proposed methodology and to demonstrate the effects of the essential parameters of the problem such as the mispositioning level, the probability of gauge failure, and the number of gauges.

• Composites Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

This paper presents an experimental study on the piezoresistive behavior of nanocomposite strain sensors subjected to various loading modes and their capability to detect structural deformations and damages. The electrically conductive nanocomposites were fabricated in the form of a film using various types of thermoplastic polymers and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) at various loadings. In this study, the nanocomposite strain sensors were bonded to a substrate and subjected to tension, flexure, or compression. In tension and flexure, the resistivity change showed dependence on measurement direction, indicating that the sensors can be used for multi-directional strain sensing. In addition, the sensors exhibited a decreasing behavior in resistivity as the compressive load was applied, suggesting that they can be used for pressure sensing. This study demonstrates that the nanocomposite strain sensors can provide a pathway to affordable, effective, and versatile structural health monitoring.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.415-433
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• 2015

Tendon failures in bonded post-tensioned bridges over the last two decades have motivated ongoing investigations on various aspects of unbonded tendons and their monitoring methods. Recent research shows that change of strain distribution in anchor heads can be useful in detecting wire breakage in unbonded construction. Based on this strain variation, this paper develops a damage detection model that enables an automated tendon monitoring system to identify and locate wire breaks. The first part of this paper presents an experimental program conducted to study the strain variation in anchor heads by generating wire breaks using a mechanical device. The program comprised three sets of tests with fully populated 19-strand anchor head and evaluated the levels of strain variation with number of wire breaks in different strands. The sensitivity of strain variation with wire breaks in circumferential and radial directions of anchor head in addition to the axial direction (parallel to the strand) were investigated and the measured axial strains were found to be the most sensitive. The second part of the paper focuses on formulating the wire breakage detection framework. A finite element model of the anchorage assembly was created to demonstrate the algorithm as well as to investigate the asymmetric strain distribution observed in experimental results. In addition, as almost inevitably encountered during tendon stressing, the effects of differential wedge seating on the proposed model have been analyzed. A sensitivity analysis has been performed at the end to assess the robustness of the model with random measurement errors.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-20
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• 2015

A strainmeter goes through a period of instability immediately after installation. To determine the stability of strainmeters installed around the Andong fault zone, South Korea, an x-MR control chart analysis and a T² control chart analysis were conducted. The x-MR control chart analysis used an empirically determined 3σ control limit line to identify abnormal data in recently installed strain gauges. In the T² control chart analysis, the control limit line was set at a confidence of 95%. A comparison of the early stage of measurement with the terminal stage of measurement for three months after installation indicates that stabilization depends on the location and direction of each strain gauge in x-MR control chart analysis. In the T² control chart analysis, the number of values exceeding the control limit line decreased as the terminal stage was approached. Based on these results, it is suggested that the 3σ control limit line of an x-MR control chart can be used as a standard for single gauge stability, and that the 95% confidence limit of a T² control chart analysis could be used as the standard for the stability of multi-gauge strainmeters.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.170-177
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• 2012

A force/torque sensor using carbon fiber plate was designed and developed to make the sensor be able to measure a wide range of multi degree of force and torque. Using carbon fiber plate of 0.3 mm thickness, the sensor was designed and developed, which has a ${\mu}N$ level order of resolution and about 0.01 N ~ 390 N of wide measurement range. The elastic deformation part has a tripod plate structure and strain gauges are attached on the part to detect the force/torque. The coefficient of determination for the sensor is over 0.955 by the calibration experiment so that the linearity of the sensor is confirmed to be good. Also, experiments on applying 0.005 ~ 40 kg (0.05 ~ 390 N) to each axis were implemented and the sensor is proved to be safe under a high load. Finally, to verify the function calculating the direction of load vector, the directions of various load vectors which have the same magnitude but different directions and the directions of the calculated load vectors are compared and analyzed to accord well.