Biaxial 3D-printed inclinometer based on Fiber Bragg Grating technology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2021
Abstract
A Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)-based inclinometer has been developed for field use, designed to incorporate biaxial 3-dimensional (3D) printed tilt sensors (in which four FBGs were used). The inclinometer was characterized by examining its response to a wide range of tilts, over the range from 0 degrees to 90 degrees, towards the inclination axes. An excellent linear correlation between the wavelength shifts and the inclination angle (up to the 90 degrees used) was obtained, showing an average sensitivity of 0.01 nm per degree of inclination angle, for each of the FBGs used. In addition to the four FBGs that form the basis of the inclination measurement, a further FBG was included in the design to allow compensation for any temperature changes experienced during the measurements. The device was calibrated over the range from -25 degrees C to 80 degrees C (corresponding to the extremes of cold and hot weather conditions likely to be experienced in-the-field), and a sensitivity to temperature change of 0.011nm/degrees C was achieved, allowing an effective temperature correction to be applied. The data obtained from a full characterization of the performance of the sensor system, carried out in a stable, controlled environment, indicate that this inclinometer yields good sensitivity, making it highly applicable for use in monitoring rapid ground movements and deformations with its compact design allowing its wide use.
Keywords
Sensors, Fiber gratings, Temperature sensors, Temperature measurement, Strain, Monitoring, Optical fiber sensors, Inclinometer, Biaxial measurements, Fiber Bragg grating-based technology, 3D-printing, ground movements
Divisions
Science
Funders
Newton Fund Impact Scheme through the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund Partnership[IF022-2020],U.K. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy,Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT),Universiti Malaya[RK0212019]
Publication Title
IEEE Sensors Journal
Volume
21
Issue
17
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Publisher Location
445 HOES LANE, PISCATAWAY, NJ 08855-4141 USA