The application of optical fibres to structural integrity monitoring

A description is given of an inexpensive method of integrity monitoring of structures made from a wide variety of materials based on the fracture of optical fibres attached by appropriate adhesives. The technique is especially useful for monitoring crack initiation and growth and unacceptable amounts of plastic strain in normally inaccessible parts of a structure. Monitoring can be carried out during periodic inspection or it can be performed continuously and remotely.