Method of detecting flaws in structural members

A method for detecting structural flaws in a structural member including a polymer composite matrix material, comprising,

• taking a quantity of polymer matrix material free of any non-optic glass fibers,
• molding the matrix material into a structural loadbearing member having a longitudinal length and exposed opposite end surfaces,
• placing in the matrix material before the molding a plurality of continuous elongated longitudinally straight fiber optic strands having opposite ends located on the opposite end surfaces, respectively, of the structural member,
• loading the structural member to exert forces of stress and strain thereon,
• exposing one of the ends of the fiber optic strands to a source of light,
• viewing the opposite ends of the fiber optic strands to determine if light is being emitted therefrom from the source of light passing through the fiber optic strands,
• and making an evaluation of any structural flaws in the structural member by determining whether light from the light source is not fully transmitted through the fiber optic strands from one end thereof to the other.

A method for detecting structural flaws in a structural member including a polymer composite matrix material, comprising,

• taking a quantity of polymer matrix material free of any non-optic glass fibers,
• molding the matrix material into a structural loadbearing member having a longitudinal length and exposed opposite end surfaces,
• placing in the matrix material before the molding a plurality of continuous elongated individually spaced fiber optic strands having opposite ends located on the opposite end surfaces, respectively, of the structural member,
• loading the structural member to exert forces of stress and strain thereon,
• exposing one of the ends of the fiber optic strands to a source of light,
• viewing the opposite ends of the fiber optic strands to determine if light is being emitted therefrom from the source of light passing through the fiber optic strands,
• and making an evaluation of any structural flaws in the structural member by determining whether light from the light source is not fully transmitted through the fiber optic strands from one end thereof to the other.