An FRP erosion prediction system and the effect on mechanical characteristics of FRP by optical fiber

A system that detects fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) erosion automatically is important. To achieve such a system, this study proposed an FRP erosion detecting sensor using an optical fiber (OF). The relationship between the erosion characteristics of OF alone and the attenuation of light was investigated, and it was found that this relationship can be applied to an erosion detecting sensor. The sensor feasibility was confirmed by investigating the erosion characteristics of FRP with an embedded OF and conducting tests to detect abrasion based on the light attenuation. Four-point bending tests were conducted on an FRP laminated plate with an embedded OF, and the mechanical characteristics of the plate were examined. The results indicated that the embedded OF did not degrade the FRP rupture strength. The proposed erosion monitoring system effectively predicts FRP erosion.