Detecting spreading damage in bridges is a demanding task for engineers today when the ageing infrastracture of industriaiized countries is degradating more and more. To successfully deal with tbis problem, a really advanced method has been elaborated basing on Langrange Multiplier (LM) tests and following the principle of simplicity by Hilbert and extending comments by Helmholtz refering to a combination of measurement and analytical treatment. Finally, an easy mathematical fonnation has been created.
The absolute detection of a gap distance of loose and ftxed extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) sensors with conventional measurement Systems is not possible. Due to this EFPI-sensors were deemed to be unfit for distance determination in comparision with FBG sensors. With the conventional measurement method a continous measurement of the EFPIsensors was necessary. Otherwise data about the distance change was lost. Additional it is necessary to detect the tumaround points in the interference signal with 100%. This made it worse for the analysis and the use of the sensor. At BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing a measurement System called “EFPI-Scan” is developed which can measure the absolute gap distance of four connected EFPI-sensors synchronous. Every measurement channel is temperature independetn and long term stable. Test measurements showed a deviation of maximum ±1 gm per hour. Furthermore it is possible to measure with different measurement modes (abolute, relative and a combination of both). Special emphasis should be placed to the absolute measurement accuracy of ± 5 pm at a gap distance determination ftom 40 up to 4000 pm.