Strain sensor's network for low-velocity impact location estimation on carbon reinforced fiber plastic structures: Part-I

In this work, we have investigated the strain response (angular/spatial) from fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor & resistance strain gauge (RSG) sensors bonded to the composite structure due to the projectile low velocity impact (LVI). The number of sensor & its orientating has been optimized based on such experimental data and designed an optimum sensor network for faithful LVI detection. In order to study the efficacy of the sensor network, an impact localization algorithm based on peak strain amplitude from the sensor bonded to the structure was used in this study. Further the detection efficiency of the algorithm has been improved using weighted average value around the peak amplitude of strain experienced by the sensor. We found that for the high energy (~35 J) LVI the maximum distance error (Euclidian distance) was 50 mm for 80% of total trail case. Furthermore, we have developed and compared the relative performance of the algorithm cited in the literature, will be presented in PART-II of the same Journal