An Impact Strain Monitoring and Simulating Method for Large-Size Composite Skin Panel with Optical Fiber Sensors

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is now essential for certifying many composite primary structures as it resolves strain redistribution at the moment of impact. Traditional detection methods, including resistive strain gauges, face challenges due to susceptibility to electromagnetic noise, as well as increased mass and wiring complexity proportional to the number of channels. This study proposes an impact strain monitoring and simulating method using optical fiber sensors for composite skin panels. Repeated low-velocity impact tests were conducted on large-size composite skin panels using various impact forces and locations. The 95% confidence interval for unit load strain in the simulation results differs from the experiment by 18%. This method effectively facilitates the monitoring of global impact strain on large-size composite skin panels.