Measuring strains through the thickness of a composite structural specimen subjected to bending

This study concerns the central reinforced zone of a composite structural specimen. In order to estimate the strain distribution during a series of three and four-point bending tests, several optical fiber Bragg grating sensors have been embedded in various levels of the ply stack. Simultaneously, surface strain field measurements by 3-D digital image correlation are undertaken. Both techniques show a general linear distribution of longitudinal strains through the thickness of the thick zone but values are slightly different. A numerical model is developed and a test-calculation dialogue is carried out. The complementary information given by the two optical techniques for in-core and surface measurements reveals the importance of considering structural and edge effects.