Use of high spatial resolution distributed optical fiber to monitor the crack propagation of an adhesively bonded joint during ENF and DCB tests

Similarly to other industrial areas, there is a strong interest for the use of bonded FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymers) repair or reinforcement for steel structures in the case of offshore applications. However, the reliability of the adhesively bonded (FRP) shall stand as high as steel renewal, this requires additional developments, in particular, a complete understanding of the repair mechanical strength which depends on material and interfacial properties. Fracture mechanics is an interesting approach to assess the risk to undergo interlaminar fracture or steel to adhesive interfacial disbonding failure. The experimental determination of the required design values for this an approach (critical toughness) are generally obtained using common tests such as Double Cantilever Beam (DCB), End Notched Flexure (ENF) or Mixed Mode Bending (MMB) tests. These tests require a precise crack length monitoring that is currently carried out using visual observation or Digital Image Correlation (DIC) on the flank of the sample. This may induce error in crack length measurement especially if the crack doesn't remain straight during the test. The paper presents a study of crack front monitoring by a distributed optical fiber as an alternative to the standard techniques to monitor crack front and to determine the critical toughness in mode I and II through respectively, DCB (Double Cantilever Beam) and ENF (End Notched Flexure) tests. Firstly, the issues related to the use of this continuous optical fiber are raised (insertion, precision resolution, measurement noise, exploitation methodologies). Then, some experimental investigations on ENF and DCB tests are presented and analyzed using the proposed methodology to monitor crack propagation using the optical fiber strain measurement. The obtained results are compared, focusing on the proper determination of the critical toughness of the adhesive. These results show that an optical fiber bonded on the surface of the sample can be used to measure and follow the crack propagation during the test which simplifies and adds precision to the standardize critical toughness computation method.