Applications of FBG sensors for the monitoring of critical components of vehicles

The applicability of fiber optic sensors to the automotive field was evaluated within a national project, in which the Fiat Research Centre, RTM and CNR-IROE are involved. The measurement of the mechanical deformations on a vehicle windshield was considered as a case study. This paper refers mainly to the validation phase of the project and in particular to the deformation measurements on a windshield of a FIAT "Brava" using fiber Bragg gratings. The results were compared with data collected by using strain gauges and thermocouples. A brief description of the manufacturing and characterisation of the grating and of the interrogation system is also provided.