| A model and prototype of a novel strain sensor is developed. The sensor is intended to be used in a structural health monitoring application. It amplifies light deflection off one or more polished surfaces and measures the deflected beam via a position sensitive detector (PSD). The design is easily modified to detect strains over a customizable range, is capable of enduring over-strain and it is anticipated that the strainless operation of this sensor (it does not rely on strain transfer to the sensing element) will allow simple installation procedures. Several variants have been analyzed using the prototype. The prototype measured strains with a typical error of +/-1500muepsilon over a range of +/-50,000muepsilon. This error is due limitations in the prototype, however, the developed micro-sensor is capable of strain resolution of +/-50muepsilon over the same range. |
