Ring patch sensor based on FBG array for normal and bending load recognition

A FO based ring patch sensor has been developed for load identification applications. The transducer is made of glass/epoxy composite material. The ability of composite material to integrate optical fibres is exploited. Fibres are allocated in different layers and in single or multi loop, this allows to reconstruct the applied loads. In this work a Finite Element approach has been used to simulate a transducer working under tensile and bending loads and extrapolate different deformation fields through a fiber optic circular path. Then the numerical results have been compared with the experimental outcomes performed by using FBGs array opportunely located inside the circular path.