Project C11.2019: Development of a System-Level Distributed Sensing Technique for Long-Term Monitoring of Concrete and Composite Bridges

Project C11.2019 Abstract:

Long-distance distributed sensing of bridges using fiber optic sensors is achieved by the Brillouin scattering of nonlinear acoustic photons (laser light) inside an optical fiber. Such nonlinear scattering of incident photons can be exploited to obtain the change of state (due to temperature or stress) at different locations in an optical fiber over a long distance (e.g., from several to hundreds of miles). In this project, Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (BOTDR) technique has been adopted for distributed sensing of mechanical and thermal strains of bridges. Figure 2 shows the schematic configuration of BOTDR for bridge monitoring and the conceptual description of multiphysical observation of structural behavior for health monitoring. We will develop a system-level distributed sensing technique and its design procedure for composite and concrete bridges, as well as developing structural health monitoring algorithms based on mechanical and electromagnetic measurements using fiber optic, video motion, and radar sensors.

Sponsors:
University Transportation Centers Program
University of Massachusetts Lowell
University of Vermont
University of Maine

Implementation of Research Outcomes:
This project is in its initial research phase. Implementation of Research outcomes will be reported upon completion of initial research.

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

Related Links:
Coming Soon

Downloadable Documents