Durability of Functionalized Carbon Structures with Optical Fiber Sensors in a Highly Alkaline Concrete Environment

authored by

Kort Bremer, Lourdes S.M. Alwis, Yulong Zheng, Frank Weigand, Michael Kuhne, Reinhard Helbig, Bernhard Roth

Abstract

The paper presents an investigation into the durability of functionalized carbon structures (FCS) in a highly alkaline concrete environment. First, the suitability of optical fibers with different coatings-i.e., acrylate, polyimide, or carbon-for the FCS was investigated by subjecting fibers with different coatings to micro/macro bending and a 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) (pH 14) solution. Then, the complete FCS was also subjected to a 5% NaOH solution. Finally, the effects of spatial variation of the fiber embedded in the FCS and the bonding strength between the fiber and FCS was evaluated using different configurations -i.e., fiber integrated into FCS in a straight line and/or with offsets. All three coatings passed the micro/macro bending tests and show degradation after alkaline exposure, with the carbon coating showing least degradation. The FCS showed relative stability after exposure to 5% NaOH. The optimum bonding length between the optical fiber and the carbon filament was found to be ≥ 150 mm for adequate sensitivity.

Organisation(s)

Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies (HOT)
PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines

External Organisation(s)

Napier University
Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI)
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Type

Article

Journal

Applied Sciences (Switzerland)

Volume

9

No. of pages

10

ISSN

2076-3417

Publication date

02.06.2019

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Materials Science, Instrumentation, General Engineering, Process Chemistry and Technology, Computer Science Applications, Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3390/app9122476 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.15488/5223 (Access: Open)