Design Optimization of Sensitivity-Enhanced Structure for Fiber Bragg Grating Acoustic Emission Sensor Based on Additive Manufacturing

A four-loop shaped structure of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) acoustic emission (AE) sensor based on additive manufacturing (AM) technology is proposed in the letter. The finite element analysis (FEA) method was used to model and analyze the sensor structure. We aimed at improving the sensitivity, the static load analysis, and the dynamic response analysis of the normal FBG acoustic emission sensor and the FBG AE sensor with improved structure parameters. We constructed the FBG AE sensor experimental system based on a narrowband laser demodulation method and test on real acoustic emission signals. The results demonstrated that the response sensitivity of the FBG acoustic emission sensor was 1.47 times higher than the sensitivity of the normal FBG sensor. The sensitivity coefficient of PLA-AE-FBG2 sensor was 3.057, and that of PLA-AE-FBG1 was 2.0702. Through structural design and parameter optimization, the sensitivity and stability of the FBG AE sensor are improved. The four-loop shaped sensor is more suitable for the health monitoring in fields such as aero-engine blade, micro-crack of structure, and crack growth in bonded joints. While ensuring the sensing characteristics, sensitivity, and stability of the four-loop shaped sensor have been enhanced. It is possible to apply the FBG AE sensor in some complex engineering environments.