Application of optical fiber sensors in mechanical measurements

Optical fiber sensors have been used in military and biomedical applications for twenty years. Industrial and civil engineering applications of optical fiber sensors particularly for mechanical measurements require sometimes quite different configurations and parameters of sensors. In addition, a problem of cost effectiveness of the sensor is not so important for military and medical applications as in industrial ones. Hence each design of optical fiber sensor for mechanical parameter measurements is specific and should be tested not only in laboratory. The paper presents a short overview of methods and systems of optical fiber sensors which are used in mechanical measurements. Selected applications of optical fiber sensors are described in detail. Unique and quite new application of polarimetric fiber optic sensor for dynamic strain measurements is given as well. In conclusion, some advantages and disadvantages of optical fiber sensors applications in mechanical measurements are discussed.