Active control of a smart composite with shape memory alloy sheet using a plastic optical fiber sensor

Tests have shown that this smart FML is capable of accurately achieving prescribed values of beam deflection based on the POF sensors signal. The repeatability of the system has been demonstrated by systematically increasing and then decreasing the prescribed deflection and monitoring the subsequent response. In addition, the structure has been shown to be capable of accommodating unwanted disturbances, such as those associated with external loading regimes. During initial studies, using an on-off control strategy, the beam tended to overshoot the required deflection before stabilizing at the set-point value some tens of seconds later. This effect was reduced through the tuning of a proportional-integrative-derivative (PID) control setting on the control unit. It is believed that the findings outlined in this paper demonstrate the potential benefits offered by smart hybrid structures.