Project 1.5: Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing System for Bridge Monitoring

Project Abstract:

The problem we are trying to solve is how to monitor aging bridges. This is important because managing aging civil infrastructure is a major challenge facing the U.S and countries worldwide. Deterioration and premature failures of civil infrastructure have a critical impact on the U.S. economy. Fiber optic sensors are good candidates to monitor and inspect the status of bridges because they can provide fast and accurate measurements on strain and temperature. Asset owners are able to prioritize maintenance and repair of bridges based on the data provided by the fiber optic sensors.

The objective of this project is to develop fiber optic sensing system using BOTDR (Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometry) for monitoring of civil infrastructure systems such as highway bridges.

---

Sponsors:
University Transportation Centers Program, Department of Transportation
University of Massachusetts Lowell

---

Implementation of Research Outcomes:
We have developed a pedestrian bridge field test by using BOTDR technology to validate the sensing system. The pedestrian bridge connects Ball Hall and Olsen Hall located at UMass Lowell. We observed an obvious strain change during unloading and loading at the testing area. We believe the strain comes from either the internal defect or surface crack.

Impacts and Benefits of Implementation:
This project is in its initial research phase. Impacts and benefits of the research will be reported after the time implementation phase.

Related Links:
https://www.uml.edu/Research/tidc/

---

Downloadable Documents