Optical Fibre Sensors Structure monitoring in Infrastructure field (Monitoring of bridges` structure)

Outlines
1.0 .Introduction 2 2. 2.Monitoring ways 2.1 .Fiber optic sensor systems. 3 4

3.0. Fiber Optic Sensor Classifications 5 3.1. fibre optical sensors based on sensing location.. 5 3.1.1.Extrinsic fiber optic sensor 5 3.1.2. Intrinsic fibre sensor... 6 3.2. Fibre optical sensors based on operating principle.. 7 3.3 fibre optical sensors based on the application.. 7 4.0. Fibre optic sensors types... 7 4.1. Intensity Based Fiber Optic Sensors.. 7 4.2. Phase Modulated Fiber Optic Sensors 8 4.3. Polarization Modulated Fiber Optic Sensors.. 8 4.4. Wavelength Modulated Fiber Optic Sensors 8 5.0. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)... 9 5.1. THEORY OF FBG SENSORS 11 5.1.1. SENSOR DESIGN.. 11 6.0. FBG and structures of bridges.... 12 6.1. Advantages of FBG Sensors in Bridges monitoring.... 15 6.2. an example of FBG sensor in bridge health monitoring....15 7.0. Conclusion..17 8.0. References..17

1.0.Introduction
The use of fibre optic sensors is becoming a valuable practice in sensory systems for the health monitoring of structures. The paper presents a few significant case studies in which fibre optic sensors have proven their effectiveness. Implementation of the sensory system as well as data analysis and interpretation are discussed. In the last decade, an increasing shift from investments in the construction of new infrastructures to the maintenance and lifetime extension of the existing ones has taken place. Generally, most of the transportation network, such as highways and railways, is completed and in service. A similar situation is encountered in ports and maritime infrastructure, where most of the facilities have been built 30 to 80 years ago. By the other hand, the establishment of a common economical and political world space larger than ever is pushing the demand for free circulation of people and freights, but the concern for the impact created by the construction of new facilities in delicate natural and architectural environments is also increasing. Therefore, the authorities managing civil infrastructure face the challenge of maintaining the transportation network in a satisfactory state, using a limited budget and with little perturbation to its normal use. This task is far more complex than that of building new structures and requires new management instruments. Due to the increasing loads, ageing of materials and environmental action, the performance of many in-service structures has decayed and the inherent level of safety can be shown inadequate relative to current design standards. Structural health monitoring is certainly one of the most powerful tools for infrastructure management. In what we call the information age, structural health monitoring seems to close the gap between the traditional world of structural engineering and the frenetic one of information technology. Monitoring includes the observation of deformations as well as environmentally induced processes.
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Climatic variables like temperature, humidity and wind loads shall be considered as well. A central point consists in the observation of the chemical parameters in the form of electrochemical potentials, resistivity, and penetration processes. However, an almost complete instrumentation of all imaginable physical phenomena would exceed the reasonable amount of financial efforts. Additionally, a larger number of collected data might not necessarily improve the quality of the drawn conclusions. Therefore, the identification and observation of the decisive parameters is fundamental for the development and calibration of consistent engineering models describing the deterioration mechanisms threatening ultimate limit state, serviceability, and durability .The definition of the objective of the instrumentation program usually follows the realisation that something about the structure is not known well enough and that measurements of a number of quantities at a certain location would be desirable for the sake of economy or safety. The first step is to reflect on all possible ways the construction might behave and to choose which quantities to measure, where to measure them, and to select adequate instruments to do so. This requires an estimation of the magnitudes of changes in the quantities to be measured, which allows the definition of the range, resolution, accuracy, and sensitivity of the instruments selected to measure them. In much the same way, the temporal behaviour of the observed phenomena might be a criterion for the dynamic requirements for both the instruments and the readout units. As next the instrument positions and the number of instrumented sections have to be determined. After testing, the taking of the readings and their processing and analysis must be carried out in a systematic, organised way.

2.0. Monitoring ways

The monitoring means the measurement of the deformation of a structure caused by loads e.g, traffic. There are many monitoring systems that have been used for bridges structures

health such as RTK-GPS differentiation system and sensing methods. Here, I will focus on sensing methods and especially optical fibre sensors. Optical fibre sensors considered as new generation of monitoring techniques for giving better and continuous acknowledge about the bridge (major bridges) health. The traditional methods were limited and showed good results only for vibration measurements and mostly for the external structure.

2.1. Fiber optic sensor systems

Why fibre optic sensors?
According to what mentioned above, optical fibre sensors take the advantage against other techniques due to the wide range of the sensing such as harsh environment capability (intensive EMI, high temperature, chemical corrosion, high pressure, high voltage Light weight and small size), excellent performance (high sensitivity and large bandwidth) Long range operation and Multiplexed or distributed measurements. In many cases and especially for wireless methods, there were many flaws in getting good results from long and curved bridges. Comparing with the traditional electro-mechanics sensors, the optic fiber sensors has the advantages of higher precision of testing, tiny size, smaller weight, essential explosion-proof, immunity from the effect of electro-magnetic and corrosion resistance.

Here I tried to list the most benefits of using optical fibre sensors: 1. More accurate rating of bridge capacity 2. to maximize the safe utilization of the transportation infrastructure and improve the ow of commerce. 3. Measured data can be compared against computed values. 4. More efcient utilization of bridge maintenance and inspection resources.
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5. Increased safety through early detection of structural abnormalities. 6. Increased safety through monitoring and communication of icing and other conditions on bridge decks. 7. Findings can be transferred to future bridge construction projects. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of bridge infrastructure can help in early fault detection and protection against man-made threats. The remote location of many bridges makes them especially vulnerable to security issues, which could lead to dangerous consequences in terms of the economy and public safety.

The basic component of optical fibre sensing system

(Springer Handbook of Experimental Solid Mechanics By William N. Sharpe, Jr., William N)

3.0. Fibre Optic Sensor Classifications

Optical fibre sensors can be classified under three classes, according to the sensing location, the operating principle and the application.

3.1. Fibre optical sensors based on sensing location

In this class, optical fibre sensors are categorized to two groups, intrinsic and extrinsic.

3.1.1.Extrinsic fiber optic sensor

In this type, the fiber is simply used to carry light to and from an external optical device where the sensing takes place. The fibre just acts as means of getting the light to the sensing location. Extrinsic fiber optic sensors provide excellent protection of measurement signals against noise corruption.

An extrinsic fiber optic sensor

(Springer Handbook of Experimental Solid Mechanics By William N. Sharpe, Jr., William N )

3.1.2 Intrinsic fibre sensor

In an intrinsic fibre optic sensor one or more of the physical properties of the fibre undergo a change figure below Perturbations act on the fibre and the fibre in turn changes some characteristic of the light inside fibre. A particularly useful feature of intrinsic fiber optic sensors is that they can, if required, provide distributed sensing over very large distances.

An extrinsic fiber optic sensor

(Springer Handbook of Experimental Solid Mechanics By William N. Sharpe, Jr., William N)

3.2. Fibre optical sensors based on operating principle

Based on the operating principle or modulation and demodulation process, a fiber optic sensor can be classified as intensity, a phase, a frequency, or a polarization sensor. All these parameters may be subject to change due to external perturbations. Thus, by detecting these parameters and their changes, the external perturbations can be sensed

3.3. fibre optical sensors based on the application

Based on the application, a fiber optic sensor can be classified as follows: 1- Physical sensors: Used to measure physical properties like temperature, stress, etc. 2- Chemical sensors: Used for pH measurement, gas analysis, spectroscopic studies, etc. 3- Bio-medical sensors: Used in bio-medical applications like measurement of blood flow, glucose content etc.

4.0. fibre optic sensors types

Fibre optic sensors can be categorized into four types as following:

4.1. Intensity Based fibre Optic Sensors

Intensity-based finer optic sensors rely on signal undergoing some loss. They are made by using an apparatus to convert what is being measured into a force that bends the fiber and causes attenuation of the signal. Other ways to attenuate the signal is through absorption or scattering of a target. The intensity-based sensor requires more light and therefore usually uses multimode large core fibers .There are a variety of mechanisms such as microbending loss, attenuation, and evanescent fields that can produce a measurand-induced change in the optical intensity propagated by an optical fiber. The advantages of these sensors are: Simplicity of implementation, low cost, possibility of being multiplexed, and ability to perform as real distributed sensors.
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4.2. Phase Modulated Fiber Optic Sensors

Phase modulated sensors use changes in the phase of light for detection. The optical phase of the light passing through the fiber is modulated by the field to be detected. This phase modulation is then detected interferometerically, by comparing the phase of the light in the signal fiber to that in a reference fiber. In an interferometer, the light is split into two beams, where one beam is exposed to the sensing environment and undergoes a phase shift and the other is isolated from the sensing environment and is used for as a reference. Once the beams are recombined, they interfere with each other

4.3. Polarization Modulated Fiber Optic Sensors

The direction of the electric field portion of the light field is defined as the polarization state of the light field. Different types of polarization states of the light field are linear, elliptical, and circular polarization states. For the linear polarization state, the direction of the electric field always keeps in the same line during the light propagation. For the elliptical polarization state, the direction of the electric field changes during the light propagation. The end of the electric field vector forms an elliptical shape; hence, it is called elliptical polarized light.

4.4. Wavelength Modulated fibre Optic Sensors

Wavelength modulated sensors use changes in the wavelength of light for detection. Fluorescence sensors, black body sensors, and the Bragg grating sensor are examples of wavelength-modulated sensors. Fluorescent based fibre sensors are being widely used for medical applications, chemical sensing and physical parameter measurements such as temperature, viscosity and humidity. Different configurations are used for these sensors where two of the most common ones are shown in. In the case of the end tip sensor, light

propagates down the fiber to a probe of fluorescent material. The resultant fluorescent signal is captured by the same fiber and directed back to an output demodulator. There are many types of fibre optic sensors listed under wavelength Modulated but the most widely used wavelength based sensor is the Bragg grating sensor. Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are formed by constructing periodic changes in index of refraction in the core of a single mode optical fiber. This periodic change in index of refraction is normally created by exposing the fiber core to an intense interference pattern of UV energy. The variation in refractive index so produced, forms an interference pattern which acts as a grating. The light propagates through the grating, and part of the signal is reflected at the Bragg wavelength. The complimentary part of the process shows a small sliver of signal removed from the total transmitted signal. This obviously shows the Bragg grating to be an effective optical filter.

5.0. fibre Bragg Grating (FBG)

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is a type of distributed Bragg reflector constructed in a short segment of optical fiber that reflects particular wavelengths of light and transmits all others. This is achieved by adding a periodic variation to the refractive index of the fiber core, which generates a wavelength specific dielectric mirror. A fiber Bragg grating can therefore be used as an inline optical filter to block certain wavelengths, or as a wavelength-specific reflector. Fiber Bragg Gratings are made by laterally exposing the core of a single-mode fiber to a periodic pattern of intense ultraviolet light. The exposure produces a permanent increase in the refractive index of the fiber's core, creating a fixed index modulation according to the exposure pattern. This fixed index modulation is called a grating. At each periodic refraction change a small amount of light is reflected. All the reflected light signals combine coherently to one large reflection at a particular wavelength when the grating period is approximately half the input light's wavelength. This is referred to as the Bragg condition, and the

wavelength at which this reflection occurs is called the Bragg wavelength. Light signals at wavelengths other than the Bragg wavelength, which are not phase matched, are essentially transparent.

Structure of fibre bragg gratings

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(spectral response of FBG) 5.1 Theory Of FBG Sensors 5.1.1. Sensor Design
The fibre Bragg grating is a device commonly used in telecommunications and sensor technology. Fibre gratings are formed by a periodic change of the fibre cored refractive index in direction of propagation of optical radiation. In principle, the fibre Bragg grating acts as a spectral filter that reflects particular wavelengths of light near Bragg resonance wavelength and the rest of the optical signal spectrum is being released. The Bragg resonant wavelength is given by:

where Bragg is the Bragg resonant wavelength, neff is the effective refraction index, and is the periodic variation of the FBG. FBGs used in sensors mostly rely on the spectral analysis of reflected light wavelengths. The Bragg resonant wavelength is determined by various factors applied on the FBG, which affect effectively refractive index or grating
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periodic variation; therefore, it is an indirect measurement resulting from modifying physical or geometrical properties of the FBG. Among the affected factors we have temperature, mechanical deformation (e.g., stretching, pushing, bending, and applying shear stress) to the fiber Bragg grating. In real applications, it is difficult to separate the effects of measured and parasitic variables that affect the same parameter (e.g., when the fiber Bragg grating deformation is measured, temperature also affects reflected light wavelengths). Pressure measurement is always based on the deformation of some sensing part (typically the membrane), which is afterwards measured by principles described in the first section. Applied stress on the fiber Bragg grating in the direction of the fiber axis results in the extension of its physical dimensions and in the change of the periodic variation; however, the influence of temperature also affects physical dimensions due to thermal expansion.

6.0. FBG and monitoring structures of bridges

One of the most successful applications of fibre Bragg grating is in the field of infrastructure and civil engineering. As it known, the spreading of bridges building around the world increases the need of having continues observation of these bridges to avoid any sudden accidents. Fiber optic sensors based on wavelength modulated (FBG) give good range of monitoring bridges structure and providing an alert for any problems. Fiber Bragg gratings can then be used as direct sensing elements for strain and temperature. They can also be used as transduction elements, converting the output of another sensors, which generates a strain or temperature change from the measurand, for example fiber Bragg grating gas sensors use an absorbent coating, which in the presence of a gas expands generating a strain, which is measurable by the grating.Technically, the absorbent material is
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the sensing element, converting the amount of gas to a strain. The Bragg grating then transduces the strain to the change in wavelength.

FBG in bridge monitoring (Fiber Optic Sensors,Second Edition)

The FBG purposes are to observe strain, crack and predict the bridges fatigue that may lead to the damage. So, FBGs sensors give good solutions in that case and installing them to the concrete structure will offer continues observation and this will directly archives the safety and reduces the cost as well. Due to the fragility of bare FBG, it is hard to directly apply in infrastructures (bridges) , so it must be encapsulated. There are two kindes of encapsulated FBG sensors are used for this purpose, capillary encapsulated FBG strain sensors and slice base encapsulated FBG strain sensors. As in the fig (*^&%$) below.

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The way how FBG is encapsulated

Encapsulated FBG installed to a bridge

a mental tube of encapsulated FBG FBG encapsulation strain sensor is FBG encapsulated in mental capillary by glue (especially epoxy resin) under the air press difference between the inside and the outside of the capillary. Capillary FBG can be conveniently used then in concrete structure of the bridge. The mental holder ring is used to keep the FBGs deformation consistent with the concrete structures and the stretched optical fiber is ready for temperature compensation connector. In slice base

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encapsulation FBG sensors the FBG encapsulated in slice base encapsulated by the glue, which can be conveniently used on the surface.

Mental slice encapsulated FBG sensor

6.1. Advantages of FBG Sensors in Bridges monitoring

There are many advantages that achieved by using FBG sensors such as remote Sensing Ability(Ideal for applications with long distances between sensors or sensors and instrument), Easy to Install which can embed or mount directly to most materials via epoxy, screws or spot welding, simple to Multiplex( Easily facilitates multiple sensors on a single optical fiber connection), nonElectrical, Environmentally Stable Sensor Design(Immune to EMI and Lightning) And Ideal for Harsh Environments: Small in size, uses light waves not visible to the naked eye, no electro-magnetic field generated by the sensor. Also there are additional improvements via other sensors such as electrically insulating materials (no electric cables are required high voltage environments, chemically passive, not subject e.g. to corrosion, Immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and wide operation temperature range.

6.2. An example of FBG sensor in bridge health monitoring

The example here is for installing the FBG sensors to a known long bridge in Hong Kong it called Tsing Ma bridge (TMB), which is the world longest (1377 m) suspension bridge that carried both railway and regular road traffic. Forty FBG sensors divided into three arrays were installed on the deck, hanger cable, rocker bearing and truss girders of the TMB. The aim of this installing is to prove that FBG sensors for structural health monitoring are very
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challengeable technology to other old once via monitoring the health of different parts of the TMB under both the railway and highway loads as well as comparing the FBG sensors performance with the conventional structural health monitoring system. Wind and Structural Health Monitoring System (WASHMS) that has been operating at TMB since the bridges commissioning in May 1997. The experimental observations in this case show that the results using FBG sensors were in excellent agreement with those acquired by WASHMS.

Tsing Ma bridge (TMB) with forty FBG sensors

The process of FBG in Tsing Ma bridge (TMB)

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Applying this number of FBG sensors to the bridge gave excellent results. The information of the bridge health was a continuous and accurate enough comparing to the old technologies.

7.0. Conclusion
In conclusion, we have demonstrated the application of FBG sensors and interrogation system to monitor the dynamic strain and temperature on the Hong Kongs landmark Tsing Ming Bridge. The FBG package technique was proposed to apply for structural monitoring application. The measurement result of the interrogation system was in excellent agreement with the one obtained by electrical strain gauge measurement. The FBG sensor system offers many advantages over electrical strain gauge. These include remote sensing, ease of installation, non-corrosive and lower

maintenance cost. This shows that FBG sensor technology is a good alternative for civil and structural dynamic strain monitoring.

8.0. References
Structural Monitoring: Making Bridges Safer Across the United States

Structural Health Monitoring and Intelligent Infrastructure: volume 1, J.P. Ou, H. Li, Zhongdong Duan 2006

Structural Health Monitoring 2005: Advancements And Challenges edited by Fu-Kuo Chang2003

Fiber Optic Sensors: Principles and Applications By B.D.Gupta, Gupta, Banshi Das Structural Health Monitoring 2003: From Diagnostics & Prognostics to ... edited by Fu-Kuo Chang

Zhi Zhou and Jinping OU. Development of FBG sensors for Structural Health Monitoring in civil infrastructures. Proceeding of North American Euro-Pacific Workshop Sensing Issues in Civil Structural Health Monitoring , 2004, Waikiki Beach, Oahu ,Hawaii ,USA

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Fiber Optic Sensors and Systems: Fos2, By Hui Pan, Editor, Paul Polishuk,2002

Structural Monitoring With Fiber Optic Technology, By Raymond M. 2001

Smart Fibres, Fabrics and Clothing, By Xiaoming Tao.2005

Optical sensing, B. Culshaw, Anna Grazia Mignani, Rainer Riesenberg, Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers. April 2004

Modelling of Corroding Concrete Structures, By Carmen Mancini,2010

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