FBG_SiMul V1.0 is a tool to study and design the implementation of fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors solutions in any arbitrary loaded structure or application. The software removes the need for a fibre optic expert user and makes the. FBG_SiMul V1.0 is a tool to study and design the implementation of fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors solutions in any arbitrary loaded structure or application. The software removes the need for a fibre optic expert user and makes the sensor response of a structural health monitoring solution using FBG sensors more simple and fast. The software uses a modified T-Matrix method to simulate the FBG reflected spectrum based on the stress and strain from a finite element method model. The article describes the theory and algorithm implementation, followed by an empirical validation.••Fibre Bragg gratingFBG output simulationFBG sensing solution designFBG implementationFBG optimizationCode metadataMore demanding structural applications and new design philosophies are increasingly motivating engineers and researchers to implement sensors into structures and to develop new structural health monitoring (SHM) solutions,. This opportunity is driven by new low-cost sensors and transducers, new electronics and new manufacturing techniques. In particular, the cost of fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors has dropped over the last few years and robust fibre-optic monitoring systems suitable for SHM have become commercial off the shelf hardware.However, the sustainment of structures using these permanent on-board health monitoring systems is a complex and multi-disciplinary technological field that requires a holistic approach that cannot be addres. The shape and response of the FBG reflected spectrum (measured signal) depends on the way that the grating is deformed, i.e., the stress and strain field acting along the grating define the signal response. The FBG response simulation based on the stress and strain state from a finite element method (FEM) model was only recently addressed. Hu et al. developed a Matlab code to simulate the FBG response under non-uniform strain fields caused by the transverse cracking in cross-ply laminates; and in a similar work, Hassoon et al. developed a Matlab code to simulate the FBG response for mode-I delamination detection. However, the code developed by both authors is limited either by the type of FEM model or by the type of sensor response analysed; and, in both cases, the code/algorithm for the signal si. FBG_SiMul was developed with a graphical user-interface, and no programming knowledge is required to perform FBG simulation; all the input parameters are pre-checked by the software, meaning that the simulation is robust and the code does not crash. The source code (python) is provided and it can be re-used or changed to fit any purpose.The software is provided in two formats: a standalone file, in.exe format, which does not require installation or any dedicated software; and, in Python format, which can be modified but requires a python compiler. A user manual is provided together with the software, where the user can find information about the code structure, the type of functions/algorithms implemented, the software input/output and different fun.
