Measuring fluid structural interaction on a cantilevered panel using optical fiber Bragg gratings

Abstract

This work explores the use of optical fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) to measure the Fluid Structural Interaction (FSI) on a cantilever panel. While ground testing makes use of an array of experimental techniques to measure vibrations from FSI, many cannot be incorporated in flight-test or production vehicles where measurements of FSI are needed, particularly at hypersonic speeds. The use of FBGs leverages previous work on Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) where the sensing technology can be applied to detect an array of different measurands, including dynamic strain. Initial work presented includes simulation of sensor response using different interrogation techniques. A two-dimensional, steady-state, one-way coupling approach is used to determine the deformation and strain of several cantilever panels at Mach 2 and Mach 3 conditions. The dynamic response of the cantilever was then used to predict the response of the FBG sensor. These results will be compared to upcoming validation experiments that will utilize the supersonic blowdown wind tunnel at UNSW Canberra.