Distributed Fiber-Optic Strain Sensing: Field Applications in Pile Foundations and Concrete Beams

EasyChair Preprint 5467

Abstract

This paper gives an overview over industrial applications of distributed fiber-optic strain sensing in structural health monitoring, outlining both the benefits of the technology and its challenges regarding installation of the fiber-optic sensing cables and limitations of the measurement technology itself.

With a focus on the Brillouin Optical Frequency Domain Analysis and Reflectometry (BOFDA/R) as the specific technology for distributed strain sensing in optical fibers, we discuss the nature of distributed sensing data and its characteristic performance parameters such as spatial resolution, strain accuracy, temperature cross-sensitivity, measurement speed and optical attenuation budget. These theoretical considerations are illustrated with a number of use cases from field assignments of the technology in tunnelling, static load tests of pile foundations, and load measurements in pre-stressed concrete beams.

Keyphrases: BOFDA, BOFDR, BOTDA, BOTDR, Brillouin sensing, Crack opening, Distributed Sensing, Structural Health Monitoring, Structural Health Monitoring System, common distributed fiber optic, continuous strain, defined gauge length, discrete sensor, distributed brillouin sensing, distributed fiber, distributed fiber optic, distributed fiber optic strain, distributed sensing technique, extensiometer data, fiber optic, fiber optic sensing, fiber optic strain, fiber optic strain measurement, fiber-optic strain sensing, m bofda data, m extensiometer data, optic sensing, optic sensing cable, optic sensing technique, optic strain sensing cable, optical fiber, sensing fiber, sensing technique, strain gauge, strain sensing

@booklet{EasyChair:5467,
  author    = {Nils Nöther and Massimo Facchini},
  title     = {Distributed Fiber-Optic Strain Sensing: Field Applications in Pile Foundations and Concrete Beams},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 5467},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2021}}