Smart Cable Based on Desensitized Encapsulation FBG Sensors

At present, the definition of smart cable is still not clear, however, the opinion that using the fiber optical sensing apparatuses as the sensing element of smart cable has formed a consensus in majority of study reports. In order to develop a new type of smart cable based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG), a scheme for fabricating smart cable which is compatible with production process of parallel steel wires cable is put forward. Aiming at the test range requirement, a novelty desensitized encapsulation structure is designed, which ensures the possibility to test steel wire strain of cable by FBG sensor. The single steel wire tension test in laboratory showed the design rationality of desensitized encapsulation structure which was reflected by the favorable linear relationship and repeatability of test results. After finish the on site tension test based on one fabricated smart cable, the proposed scheme feasibility that embedded novelty desensitized encapsulation FBG strain sensor in cable to form a new type of smart cable was verified. Test results showed that the survival rate of sensors in smart cable was high. Meanwhile, there was a clear linear relationship between the output test signal of smart cable and the tension loads and the test repeatability was acceptable as well. Finally, several improvement suggestions relating to the successful application of the proposed scheme about smart cable in actual engineering were also indicated.