Research Articles | Challenge Journal of Structural Mechanics

Use of optical fibre technology to measure structural performance

Laurie F. Boswell, Brett McKinley


DOI: https://doi.org/10.20528/cjsmec.2015.06.011

Abstract


Structural monitoring using optical fibre technology may be undertaken to establish the long-term behaviour of structures, components and materials of construction. Condition monitoring may be used as an aid to repair and strengthening schedules. The establishment of material durability is also part of the monitoring process. The paper describes and discusses the application and development of the use of optical fibres to monitor structures. Examples have been given in which strain, temperature and moisture content have been determined for structural elements and materials of construction. Of particular interest is the use of an optical fibre monitoring system to determine the performance of an actual bridge, which has been subjected to controlled loading conditions. The results, which have been described, demonstrate the enormous potential to monitor structures using optical fibres.

Keywords


structural monitoring; optical fibres; bridge maintenance; durability; composite construction

Full Text:

PDF

References


Betz D, Staudigel L, Trutzel MN, Schmuecker M, Huelsmann E, Czernay U (2002). Test of a fibre Bragg grating sensor network for commercial aircraft structures. Conference Proceedings Optical Fibre Sensors (OFS 15), Portland USA, 55-58.

BR106 (1988). Building research establishment report. Design of normal concrete mixes. Revised Ed.

BS EN 197-1 (2000). Cement composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements.

Ferdinand P, Ferragu O, Lechien JL, Lescop B, Marty V, Rougeault VS, Pierre G, Renouf C, Jarret B, Kotrotsios G, Neuman V, Depeursings Y, Michel JB, Uffelen MV, Verbandt Y, Voet MRH, Toscano D (1994). Mine operating accurate stability control with optical fibre sensing and Bragg grating technology. The Brite Euram Stabilis Project Proceedings, SPIE 2360, 162-166.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.185029

Giaccari P, Limberger HG, Kronenberg P (2001). Influence of humidity and temperature on polyimide-coated fiber Bragg gratings. Proceedings Tends in Optics and Photonics Series: Bragg gratings, photosensitivity, and poling in glass waveguides, 61, BFB2.

Grattan KTV, Meggitt BT (2000). Optical Fibre Sensor Technology Fundamentals. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Grattan KTV, Meggitt BT (2000). Optical Fibre Sensor Technology Advanced Applications-Bragg Gratings and Distributed Sensors. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Laylor M, Calvert S, Taylor T, Schulz W, Lumsden R, Udd E (2002). Fiber optic grating moisture and humidity sensors. Proceedings Smart Structures and Materials: Smart Sensor Technology and Measurement System, 4694, 210-217.

Maurin L, Boussoir J, Rougeault S, Bugaud M, Ferdinand P (2002). FBG-based smart composite bogies for railway applications. Conference proceedings optical fibre sensors (OFS 15), Portland USA, 91-94.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ofs.2002.1000509

Measures RM, Alavie AT, Maaskant R, Ohn M, Karr S, Huang S (1995). A structurally integrated Bragg grating laser sensing system for carbon fibre prestressed concrete highway bridge. Smart Materials and Structure, 4, 20-30.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/4/1/004

Ning YN, Meldrum A, Shi WJ, Meggitt BT, Palmer AW, Grattan KTV, Li L (1998). Bragg grating sensing instrument using a tunable Fabry-Perot filter to detect wavelength variations. Measurement Science Technology, 9, 599-606.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/9/4/007

Pal S, Sun T, Grattan KTV, Wade SA, Collins SF, Baxter GW, Dussardier B, Monnom G (2004). Strain-independent temperature measurement using a type-I and type-IIA optical fiber Bragg grating combination. Review of Scientific Instruments, 75, 1327-1331.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1711155

Yeo TL, Sun T, Grattan KTV, Parry D, Lade R, Powell BD (2005). Polymer-coated fiber Bragg grating for relative humidity sensing. IEEE Sensors Journal, 5, 1082-1089.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2005.847935


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.