Vibration Control of Smart Composite Beams with Embedded Optical Fiber Sensor and ER Fluid

Abstract

This paper proposes the use of a fiber optic sensor (FOS) and electrorheological (ER) fluid actuator for vibration monitoring of smart composite structures. A new intensity modulated fiber optic vibration sensor is developed following the face coupling theory. It has high sensitivity similar to the traditional piezoelectric sensor. Also it is lower in cost. The experiment of vibration control of smart composite beam with embedded intensity modulated optical fiber vibration sensor and ER fluids are described in this paper. It is noted that the most significant change in the structural properties of smart composite beam is the change of structural damping and natural frequency, which varies with the electric field intensity imposed upon ER fluid. So the structural vibration can be monitored and controlled effectively utilizing FOS and ER fluids.