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Eingeladener Vortrag
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We demonstrate (and are the first to do so) 63 km Brillouin Optical Frequency-Domain Analysis (BOFDA) for temperature and strain monitoring using a 100 km fiber loop. The use of BOFDA for long-range applications can be considered a novel approach, as previous investigations focused on the utilization of Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry and Analysis (BOTDR and BOTDA, respectively). At 51.7 km, a 100 m hotspot (37 °C) was detected without using distributed Raman amplification or image processing.
We present, to our knowledge for the first time, a 100-km Brillouin Optical Frequency-Domain Analysis (BOFDA) employing a 200-km fiber loop. Compared to our previous publication, enhanced sensor length, sensor accuracy and spatial resolution are presented. The performance improvements are achieved by applying distributed Raman amplification (DRA) and a digital high-pass filter. We report on temperature measurements over sensing distances of 75 km and 100 km both with a 12.5-m spatial resolution. Temperature changes of 5 °C have been measured along 75 km sensing fiber. A temperature change of 30 °C has been detected at 99.5 km.
We report on the development of a complete system for spatially resolved detection of critical soil displacement in river embankments. The system uses Brillouin frequency domain analysis (BOFDA) for distributed measurement of strain in silica optical fibers. Our development consists of the measurement unit, an adequate coating for the optical fibers and a technique to integrate the coated optical fibers into geotextiles as they are commonly used in dike construction. We present several laboratory and field tests that prove the capability of the system to detect areas of soil displacement as small as 2 meters. These are the first tests of truly distributed strain measurements on optical fibers embedded into geosynthetics.
A dynamic and quasi-distributed sensor principle for simultaneous measurement of length changes and optical power changes between reflection points in an optical fiber is presented. The technique is based on the incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (I-OFDR). Length change resolutions < 1 µm and measurement repetition rates up to 2 kHz can be achieved using standard single-mode and multi-mode optical fibers. Simultaneous length change and refractive index measurement as well as field test results showing the deformation of a masonry building under seismic load are presented. Promising fields of application for this technique are the structural health monitoring sector and chemical process control.
This paper presents new methods to calculate and interpret Rayleigh scattering profiles in polymer optical fibers (POF) recorded by optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR). In contrast to Silica glass optical fibers (GOF), POF experience inhomogeneous stress when being strained, resulting in small scattering centers which allow for a new distributed sensor based on POF. New methods to overcome issues like blurring due to modal dispersion, uncertainties due to inhomogenious losses in the fiber and signal degradation due to viscoelastic creep in the polymer, are presented, for the first time to our knowledge.
We present a novel technique for dynamic and simultaneous measurement of displacement and refractive indices at multiple reflection points in optical fibers. This quasi-distributed sensor is based on the incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (I-OFDR) technique and allows for m-resolution length change measurement and precise refractive index measurement. We show that the dynamic measurement ability and the simple sensor design allows for new applications in the field of structural health monitoring and chemical process control.
We present a novel technique based on incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) to measure length changes quasi-distributed between reflection points in optical fibres. The technique enables length changes to be measured with a resolution better than 1 µm and allows for static and dynamic measurement capabilities up to 2 kHz. We demonstrate that dynamic measurements of multiple fibre sections can be conducted independently from each other with high precision. Due to the precise and dynamic measurement capabilities, the proposed sensor system is expected to open new fields of application, especially in the structural-health-monitoring sector. Possible applications are discussed in the paper.
A novel quasi-distributed long-gauge fiber optic strain sensor system for dynamic measurement
(2011)
We present a novel technique based on incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) to measure length changes quasi-distributed between reflection points in optical fibres. The technique enables length changes to be measured with a resolution better than 1 µm and allows for static and dynamic measurement capabilities up to 2 kHz. We demonstrate that dynamic measurements of multiple fibre sections can be conducted independently from each other with high precision. Due to the precise and dynamic measurement capabilities, the proposed sensor system is expected to open new fields of application, especially in the structural-health-monitoring sector. Possible applications are discussed in the paper.
A long period grating (LPG) mechanically imprinted in a microstructured polymer optical fibre (mPOF) is embedded in a carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) unidirectional laminate. Processing steps were established in order to ensure that mPOF does not suffer significant degradation. The strain and temperature responses of the embedded mPOF-LPG were then investigated.
For long-range measurements in geotechnical and industrial applications, distributed optical fiber sensors have become a tool of increasing importance throughout the past decade.
Classic deformation monitoring (performed by strain gauges etc.) and temperature monitoring (Pt100 and alike) deliver data from fixed, single spots of a structure; quasidistributed measurements (fiber bragg gratings) provide a Chain of discrete measurement points along a limited sensing length. In contrast, an opticai fiber connected to a device for distributed strain and temperature sensing (DTSS) will provide a continuous profile of strain and temperature - spatially resolved down to less than 1 m - over a ränge of several tens of kilometers.
In DTSS measurements, the nonlinear opticai effect of stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) is employed: two light waves with a stable, tunable frequency offset are injected into opposite ends of the sensing fiber, where they will form a beat pattem, at which parts of the light will be scattered. By matching the frequency offset of the light waves to the propagation of acoustic fluctuation in the opticai fiber, a power transfer from one light wave to the other can be measured; since the acoustic propagation directly shifts with train and temperature of the fiber, these two quantities can be measured by tuning the light waves’ frequency offset.
Analytical model for ball-lensed couplers to calculate the insertion loss for each optical mode. The basis for the calculation are commercial perfluorinated polymer optical (PFGI-POFs) and silica based fibres (SOFs). The modal power distribution for given misalignments are presented as well as the reflection-based losses at all optical interfaces. Additionally, the ball-lensed interconnection between PFGI-POF and SOF was theoretically demonstrated.
Application of Intensity-Based Coherent Optical Time Domain Reflectometry to Bridge Monitoring
(2022)
Although distributed fiber sensing techniques have been widely used in structural health monitoring, the measurement results of bridge monitoring, particularly under destructive testing, have rarely been reported. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first report of distributed vibration measurement results, which we obtained during a three-day destructive test on an abolished bridge. A coherent optical time domain reflectometry (COTDR) was used to acquire the vibration information while the bridge was being sawed. The obtained signal was analyzed in time and frequency domain. Some characteristics of the sawing-induced vibration were retrieved by the short-time Fourier transform; the vibration exhibited several high frequency components within the measured range up to 20 kHz and all the components appeared in the same time slot. Some unexpected signals were also detected. Thorough analysis showed that they are quite different from the sawing-induced vibration and are believed to originate from internal damage to the bridge (probably the occurrence of cracks).
Application results of a dynamic technique for simultaneous measurement of length changes and optical power changes between multiple reflection points in an optical fiber are presented. The technique is based on incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (I-OFDR) and allows for measuring for example length changes and optical power changes quasi-distributed at repetition rates up to 2 kHz. Precise measurement with length change resolutions in the µm-range can be conducted using standard single-mode or multi-mode fibers. Previous results of dynamic refractive index change measurement and the use of polymer optical fibers for high-strain measurement are concluded and possible sources of measurement inaccuracies are discussed. Field test results with sensors installed on a masonry building during a seismic shake test are presented. The versatility and simplicity of this technique makes it potentially interesting for application in the structural health monitoring sector and chemical process control.
One of the unique advantages of polymer optical fibres (POF) is that they can be used to measure very high strain values up to 100 % and beyond exceeding the strain limits of silica fibre-based sensor principles. In this paper the distributed strain measurement capabilities of POF based on backscatter change evaluation are summarized and distributed backscatter measurement technologies are intro-duced. Application examples in the structural health monitoring (SHM) field are presented: a promising approach is the integration into technical textiles for high-strain measurement in earthwork structures and crack detection in buildings. The potential of POF for future applications in SHM such as distributed relative humidity sensing is discussed.
In this study, a signal processing approach for heterodyne Փ-OTDR and C-OTDR systems that can obtain external perturbation and its frequency content in a faster way is proposed. We can detect vibrations with the same or better SNR using this processing approach, only with a single step and fast calculation. Fig. 12 shows the comparison of the normalized measurement time for the gamma matrix method and the conventional method throughout the three experiments. The speed of processing using a gamma matrix is ~35%–50% faster compared to a conventional method in high frequency test (PZT), low frequency test (walking) and street monitoring test. The processing speed in low frequency test is normally a bit lower than the similar high frequency one, since we must use higher number of time frames. Also, in street test we have higher speed because we can select wider gauges.
Ausgewählte Anwendungsbeispiele faseroptischer Sensoren im Ingenieurbau und in der Geotechnik
(2007)
A novel DAS setup based on geometric phases in coherent heterodyne detection is applied for the first time to the characterisation of the Earth’s subsurface. In addition, an optimisation of the proposed setup in terms of its spatial resolution is also presented for the first time. The surface waves are generated by strong blasts of 25 kg of explosives at a dedicated test site. A 10 km dark fiber link in the vicinity of the test site connected to the test setup records the resulting strain signals. The spike-free and low-noise strain data thus obtained minimize post-processing requirements, making the setup a candidate for real-time seismic monitoring. An analysis of the dispersion characteristics of the generated surface waves is performed using a recently reported optimised seismic interferometric technique. Based on the dispersion characteristics, the shear wave velocities of the surface waves as a function of the depth profile of the Earth’s crust are determined using an optimised evolutionary algorithm.
Bond monitoring in temperature dependent applications using Brillouin optical time domain analyser
(2016)
Adhesive bond has to be evaluated for its integrity over a range of temperature. Adhesive is being used to bond the sensors with structures. There is no validated technique to test its performance. In this paper, we propose a Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analyzer (BOTDA) based methodology to detect temperature-induced adhesive bond failure below room temperature using distributed fiber optic sensor. The differential coefficient of thermal expansion of the structure and fiber sensor can lead to bond failure at low temperature. Optical fiber impregnated in the structure will experience differential temperature/strain due to debond of the adhesive. This leads to the frequency and amplitude decomposition of the Brillouin spectra. This is a good indication for real-time monitoring of the integrity of a bond.
We characterize the Brillouin gain spectra (BGS) in perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers (PFGI-POFs) at 1.32 µm and 1.55 µm. Three kinds of PFGI-POFs with the same core diameter, but which are fabricated by different manufacturers, are tested. For all the PFGI-POFs, the Stokes power measured at 1.32 µm is higher than that at 1.55 µm due to the lower propagation loss, but significant differences in Stokes power are observed among the three. Based on the measurement obtained by the optical time-domain reflectometry, we show that the actual propagation loss of the PFGI-POFs plays a crucial role in observing BGS.
Phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (φOTDR) is an excellent distributed fiber sensing technique and has been applied in various areas. Its noise is however never been comprehensively studied to the best of our knowledge. The different detection noise sources in such a sensing system are thoroughly investigated. The impacts of thermal noise, shot noise and the beat between signal and the amplified spontaneous emission from a pre-amplifier have been theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. Due to the random nature of the φOTDR signal, the detection noise demonstrates distinct features at different fiber positions in a single measurement. The theoretical analysis and the experimental result explicitly affirm most of the fiber sections, and the difference at some positions may be explained by ambient noise.
Systematic investigation of annealing behavior of drawn PMMA fibers was performed. Dynamics of annealing process were measured under different environmental conditions by fiber longitudinal shrinkage monitoring. Process was found to follow stretched exponential decay function indicating heterogeneous nature of underlying molecular dynamics. Consequences of fiber annealing for climatic stability of polymer optical fiber-based sensors are discussed, emphasizing importance of fiber controlled post-fabrication annealing. Dependence of induced fiber shrinkage on annealing time, temperature and fiber drawing conditions is investigated and interpreted. In addition, strong influence of humidity on annealing process was observed, which was not recognized in previous studies. This further highlights role of fiber post-fabrication thermal treatment with respect to intended operating conditions.
We compare four different sensing solutions suitable for distributed fiber optic humidity sensing in per uorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers (PFGI-POFs). Compared to silica fbers, polymer optical fibers over advantageous beneffits including signifficantly higher break down strain, fracture toughness and humidity sensitivity. Various humidity-related effects in PFGI-POFs have been reported in the last years including measured attenuation and length changes as well as Brillouin frequency and Bragg wavelength shifts. The four aforementioned methods could serve as a basis for distributed and quasi-distributed humidity sensing and are described here closely with an emphasis on plausible cross effects to temperature and strain. The main focus of this paper lies on the comparison of four approaches with regard to method complexity, sensitivity to humidity, spatial resolution, real-time capability and effort to compensate for cross effects.
Condition monitoring of industrial infrastructures using distributed fibre optic acoustic sensors
(2017)
Distributed fibre optic acoustic sensing (DAS) can serve as an excellent tool for real-time condition Monitoring of a variety of industrial and civil infrastructures. In this paper, we portray a subset of our current Research activities investigating the usability of DAS based on coherent optical time-domain reflectometry (C-OTDR) for innovative and demanding condition Monitoring applications. Specifically, our application-oriented Research presented here aims at acoustic and vibrational condition monitoring of pipelines and piping systems, of rollers in industrial heavy-duty conveyor belt systems and of extensive submarine power cable installations, respectively.
We describe the fabrication of a polycarbonate (PC) micro-structured polymer optical fiber (mPOF) and the writing of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in it to enable strain and temperature measurements. We demonstrate the photosensitivity of a dopant-free PC fiber by grating inscription using a UV laser. We further show that PC Bragg gratings can be extended up to at least 3% without affecting the initial functionality of the micro-structured fiber. The response of PC FBGs to temperature up to 125°C is also investigated. Polycarbonate has good mechanical properties and its high temperatureresistance might extend the range of application of polymeric FBGs.
This study discusses the development of advanced composite materials with sensing
capabilities obtained from the embedment of long period gratings in microstructured plastic
optical fibres (mPOF-LPG). The mPOF-LPG was embedded in a carbon fibre reinforced
polymer (CFRP) unidirectional laminate manufactured in autoclave. Processing steps were
established in order to insure that mPOF does not suffer significant optical and structural
degradation. The strain and temperature responses of the embedded mPOF-LPG were
investigated.
We report on the development of distributed fiber sensors and their integration into
geosynthetics as they are commonly used in the construction of dikes and dams for flood protection.
The sensing system uses Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) in silica optical fibers.
Using the Brillouin frequency analysis, the system is capable of detecting changes in both strain
and temperature along the optical fibers. The strain experienced by the optical fibers corresponds
to the deformation of the geosynthetics in case of a critical soil displacement. To satisfy
requirements of dike structures, the system will be optimized to detect soil displacement with a
spatial resolution of 5 m or less over a length in the range of 10 km. These rather modest requirements
leave space for optimization on resolution of the measurement values, measurement
time and cost efficiency.
To our knowledge, this is the first distributed fiber sensor using SBS that is especially designed
for the monitoring of soil displacement in dikes which is made possible by a novel method
for the integration of optical fibers into different types of geosynthetics.
A Kramers-Kronig (KK) receiver is applied to a phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry based on direct detection. An imbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a 2× 2 coupler is used in sensing system to encode the phase information into optical intensity. The directly obtained signal is treated as the in-phase component, and the KK receiver provides the quadrature component by Hilbert transform of the obtained signal, so that the optical phase can be retrieved by IQ demodulation. The working principle is well explained, and the obtained phase variance is theoretically analyzed. The experiment demonstrates the functionality of the sensor and validates the theoretical analysis.
Industrial piping systems are particularly relevant to public safety and the continuous availability of infrastructure. However, condition monitoring systems based on many discrete sensors are generally not well-suited for widespread piping systems due to considerable installation effort, while use of distributed fibre-optic sensors would reduce this effort to a minimum. Specifically distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) is employed for detection of third-party threats and leaks in oil and gas pipelines in recent years and can in principle also be applied to industrial plants. Further possible detection routes amenable by DAS that could identify damage prior to emission of medium are subject of a current project at BAM, which aims at qualifying distributed fibre optic methods such as DAS as a means for spatially continuous monitoring of industrial piping systems. Here, first tests on a short pipe are presented, where optical fibres were applied directly to the surface. An artificial signal was used to define suitable parameters of the measurement system and compare different ways of applying the sensor.
A novel distributed acoustic sensing technique is proposed that exploits both phase and amplitude of the Rayleigh backscattered light to quantify the environmental variation. The system employs a wavelength-scanning laser and an imbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer to acquire the reflection spectra and the phase of the detected light, respectively. Fading-free and low-frequency measurements are realized via the crosscorrelation of the reflection spectra. The discrete crosscorrelation is used to circumvent the nonlinear frequency sweeping of the laser. Based on the phase of the backscattered light, it is possible to quantify fast environmental variations. The whole system requires no hardware modification of the existing system and its functionality is experimentally validated. The proposed system has the potential to monitor ground motion/movement at very low frequency band like subsidence around mining areas and at high frequency band like earthquakes and vibrations induced by avalanches.
We report on the successful application of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) to the detection of partial discharge (PD). A detection limit of about 1 nC discharge magnitude was achieved for PD in a real-scale model of a high voltage termination. Dedicated ultrasonic fibre-optic transducers were interrogated using coherent optical time-domain Rayleigh backscatter reflectometry (C-OTDR). Random quadrature demodulation was employed for retrieving relevant acoustic information from the raw C-OTDR backscatter traces. To our knowledge, our results are a first-time demonstration that quasi-distributed fibre-optic acoustic sensing is a candidate technology for the acoustic partial discharge monitoring of power cable joints and terminations.
We present our research on the development of a Brillouin optical frequency-domain analysis (BOFDA) using a perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fiber (PFGI-POF) as a sensing fiber. The described works include investigations both on the selection of the setup components with respect to mode coupling effects and on the impact of the humidity cross-sensitivity. The suitability of the developed POF-based BOFDA is proved by a distributed measurement on an 86 m long PFGI-POF recorded with the spatial resolution of 6 m.
We report on the development of a distributed fiber optical sensor system for structural health monitoring of largc-scale geotechnical and civil infrastructures. The system is based on Brillouin frequency domain analysis (BOFDA) for distributed measurement of strain and temperature along Standard silica optical fibers used as sensors. By additional incorporation of the fiber optic sensors in geosynthetics, two-dimensional sensors can be realized. Such smart geosynthetics can be used for reinforeerneut of geotechnical and masonry structures and the embedded fiber optic sensors can provide information about the condition of the structures and detect the presence of any damages and destructions in real time.
In this work, we present our results achieved in several research activities for development of distributed fiber optic radiation sensors using glass and polymer optical fibers. The findings show that both the measurement of the radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) along the entire sensing fiber and the accompanying change in the refractive index of the fiber core can be used for distributed radiation monitoring.
Distributed fiber optic sensors embedded in technical textiles for structural health monitoring
(2010)
Distributed fiber optic sensors embedded in technical textiles for structural health monitoring
(2010)
Technical textiles with embedded distributed fiber optic sensors have been developed for the purposes of structural health monitoring in geotechnical and civil engineering. The distributed fiber optic sensors are based on Brillouin scattering in silica optical fibers and OTDR in polymer optical fibers. Such "smart" technical textiles can be used for reinforcement of geotechnical and masonry structures and the embedded fiber optic sensors can provide information about the condition of the structures and detect the presence of any damages and destructions in real time. Thus, structural health monitoring of critical geotechnical and civil infrastructures can be realized. The paper highlights the results achieved in this innovative field in the framework of several German and European projects.
Distributed fiber optic sensors for structural health monitoring of composite pressure vessels
(2024)
In diesem Beitrag geben wir einen umfassenden Überblick über unsere Forschung auf dem Gebiet der verteilten faseroptischen Sensorik für die strukturelle Zustandsüberwachung von Wasserstoffdruckbehältern aus Verbundwerkstoffen. Insbesondere zeigen wir, wie die Integration von faseroptischen Sensoren in Druckbehälter aus Verbundwerkstoffen die Sicherheit erhöht und gleichzeitig die Wartungskosten senkt. Die geringe Größe von Lichtwellenleitern ermöglicht ihre Integration in Verbundwerkstoffstrukturen während des Herstellungsprozesses, wodurch eine kontinuierliche Überwachung sowie eine präzise Erkennung und Lokalisierung von Strukturschäden während des Betriebs der Druckbehälter ermöglicht wird. Wir erörtern auch das Potenzial modernster Signalverarbeitungsmethoden und des maschinellen Lernens für die Weiterentwicklung der vorausschauenden Instandhaltung. Die von uns vorgestellten Anwendungen von faseroptischen Sensoren zeigen, dass sie einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Energiewende hin zu erneuerbaren Energien leisten können.
Along temperature, humidity is one of the principal environmental factors that plays an important role in various application areas. Presented work investigates possibility of distributed fiberoptic humidity monitoring based on humidity-induced strain measurement in polyimide (PI)-coated optical fibers. Characterization of relative humidity (RH) and temperature response of four different commercial PI- and one acrylate-coated fiber was performed using optical backscattering reflectometry (OBR). The study addresses issues of temperature-humidity cross sensitivity, fiber response stability, repeatability, and the influence of annealing. Acrylate-coated fiber exhibited rather unfavorable nonlinear RH response with strong temperature dependence, which makes it unsuitable for humidity sensing applications. On the other hand, humidity response of PI-coated fibers showed good linearity with fiber sensitivity slightly decreasing at rising temperatures. In the tested range, temperature sensitivity of the fibers remained humidity independent. Thermal annealing was shown to considerably improve and stabilize fiber RH response. Based on performed analysis, a 20 m sensor using the optimal PI-coated fibers was proposed and constructed. The sensor uses dual sensing fiber configuration for mutual decoupling and simultaneous measurement of temperature and RH variations. Using OBR, distributed dual temperature-RH monitoring with cm spatial resolution was demonstrated for the first time.
Distributed Fibre Optic Acoustic and Vibration Sensors for Industrial Monitoring Applications
(2017)
We investigate the usability of distributed fibre optic acoustic sensing (DAS) for innovative and advanced monitoring applications in industrial and civil infrastructure installations. In this paper, we report on our ongoing application-oriented research activities regarding the utilization of DAS based on coherent optical time-domain reflectometry (C-OTDR) for condition monitoring of a variety of infrastructures. Specifically, our research presented here aims at acoustic condition monitoring of and fault detection in pipelines and industrial piping systems, at acoustic condition monitoring of rollers in industrial conveyor belt installations, and at acoustic condition monitoring of and threat detection in extensive submarine power cables, respectively. Furthermore, we show a method to mitigate the effect of sensitivity fading of C-OTDR based DAS due to unstable environmental conditions via the modification of the sensor fibre. This can help to provide a continuous adequate sensor functionality for a number of different industrial monitoring applications.
Distributed humidity fiber-optic sensor based on BOFDA using a simple machine learning approach
(2022)
We report, to our knowledge for the first time, on distributed relative humidity sensing in silica polyimide-coated optical fibers using Brillouin optical frequency domain analysis (BOFDA). Linear regression, which is a simple and well-interpretable algorithm in machine learning and statistics, is utilized. The algorithm is trained using as features the Brillouin frequency shifts and linewidths of the fiber’s multipeak Brillouin spectrum. To assess and improve the effectiveness of the regression algorithm, we make use of machine learning concepts to estimate the model’s uncertainties and select the features that contribute most to the model’s performance. In addition to relative humidity, the model is also able to simultaneously provide distributed temperature information addressing the well-known cross-sensitivity effects.
In this document a new distributed sensor based on Rayleigh scattering in polymer optical fibers (POF) is proposed and first measurement results of the proposed sensor are shown. Different from Silica glas optical fibers POF absorb high quantities of water resulting in a change of their molecular structure and thereby reducing the present small scattering centers in areas of high humidity. The interdependence between scattering intensity and relative humidity is being investigated in case of steady cycles as well as stepwise changes of humidity and in the presence of moisture. A quantitative measure of humidity and scattering is presented.
Distributed measurement of humidity is a sought-after capability for various fields of application, especially in the civil engineering and structural health monitoring sectors. This article presents a method for distributed humidity sensing along polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer optical fibers (POFs) by analyzing wavelength-dependent Rayleigh backscattering and attenuation characteristics at 500 nm and 650 nm wavelengths. Spatially resolved humidity sensing is obtained from backscatter traces of a dual-wavelength optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR). Backscatter dependence, attenuation dependence as well as the fiber length change are characterized as functions of relative humidity. Cross-sensitivity effects are discussed and quantified. The evaluation of the humidity-dependent backscatter effects at the two wavelength measurements allows for distributed and unambiguous measurement of relative humidity. The technique can be readily employed with low-cost standard polymer optical fibers and commercial OTDR devices.
The potential of the use of POF as distributed sensors in several application fields has been successfully demonstrated. The distributed POF sensors have moved from the laboratory to the field. The paper presents the recent progress in the development of distributed POF sensors and addresses the main challenges to this innovative technology.
In this paper, a cost-efficient distributed fiber optic measurement system based on Rayleigh scattering is presented. The distributed digital incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (I-OFDR) method is developed for detection of significantly large strain in the range from 3 % up to 10 % as required by end users. For this purpose, a vector network analyzer used in the I-OFDR is replaced by a compact and cost-effective digital data acquisition system. This digital emitting/receiving unit enables the recording of the complex transfer function carrying information about the local deformations along the entire sensing fiber.
Distributed polymer optical fiber sensors in geotextiles for monitoring of earthwork structures
(2009)
Distributed strain and length change measurement in POF using optical frequency domain reflectometry
(2010)
We show that the incoherent optical frequency domain (l-OFDR) technique provides superior performance compared to standard OTDR techniques in terms of spatial resolution and measurement time. The distributed strain measurement capabilities of perfluorinated POF up 100 % strain are shown and distributed length change measurement using correlation techniques and OFDR are presented.
We present the latest advances in distributed strain measurement in perfluorinated polymer optical fibres (POFs) using backscatter techniques. Compared to previously introduced poly(methyl methacrylate) POFs, the measurement length can be extended to more than 500 m at improved spatial resolution of a few centimetres. It is shown that strain in a perfluorinated POF can be measured up to 100%. In parallel to these investigations, the incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) technique is introduced to detect strained fibre sections and to measure distributed length change along the fibre with sub-millimetre resolution by applying a cross-correlation algorithm to the backscatter signal. The overall superior performance of the OFDR technique compared to the optical time domain reflectometry in terms of accuracy, dynamic range, spatial resolution and measurement speed is presented. The proposed sensor system is a promising technique for use in structural health monitoring applications where the precise detection of high strain is required.
Sensing characteristics of polymer optical fibers (POF) are studied using the optical
time-domain reflectometry technique. For the first time to our knowledge, investigations are
carried out with respect to integration of POF in technical textiles for distributed measurement
of mechanical deformation. The research on this new sensor type focuses on its application in
monitoring of geotechnical structures such as railway embankments, dikes, slopes and dams.
We report on a distributed sensor system using POF integrated in technical textiles as sensing
elements for measurement of displacement of soil. This sensor system is very robust it
withstands the integration under rough condition at a construction site and can detect strain
of more than 40 % over distances of more than 100 meters.
The presented research is carried out on the background of the development of a new strain sensor, integrated in technical textiles using the optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) technique. We investigated the effect of increased scattering in POF due to applied strain as a distributed sensor including research on long-term stability and reliability of this sensor.
Fiber optic sensors based on polymer optical fibers (POF) have the advantage of being very elastic and robust at the same time. Unlike silica fibers, standard PMMA POF fibers can be strained to more than 40% while fully maintaining their light guiding properties. We investigated POF as a distributed strain sensor by analysing the backscatter increase at the strained section using the optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) technique. This sensing ability together with its high robustness and break-down strain makes POF well-suited for integration into technical textiles for structural health monitoring purposes. Within the European research project POLYTECT (Polyfunctional textiles against natural hazards) technical textiles with integrated POF sensors, among others sensors are being developed for online structural health monitoring of geotechnical structures. Mechanical deformation in slopes, dams, dikes, embankments and retrofitted masonry structures is to be detected before critical damage occurs. In this paper we present the POF strain sensor properties, reactions to disturbing influences as temperature and bends as well as the results of the different model tests we conducted within POLYTECT. We further show the potential of perfluorinated graded-index POF for distributed strain sensing with increased spatial resolution and measurement lengths.
Wavelength scanning coherent optical time domain reflectometer (WS-COTDR) is a good candidate to spatially resolve the environmental information at comparatively low frequency. This paper reveals it can also work as a traditional optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) to identify Fresnel reflection by averaging the obtained signal over the wavelength scanning range. Simultaneous distributed vibration sensing and a traditional OTDR measurement are experimentally demonstrated using the WS-COTDR system.
Wavelength scanning coherent optical time domain reflectometer (WS-COTDR) is a good candidate to spatially resolve the environmental information at comparatively low frequency. This paper reveals it can also work as a traditional optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) to identify Fresnel reflection by averaging the obtained signal over the wavelength scanning range. Simultaneous distributed vibration sensing and a traditional OTDR measurement are experimentally demonstrated using the WS-COTDR system.
The paper presents the first complex study of Gamma radiation effects on a low-loss perfluorinated polymer optical fiber (PF-POF) based on Cytop® polymer. Influence of gamma radiation on fiber’s optical, mechanical and climatic performance is investigated. The radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) in the visible and near-infrared region (0.4 μm-1.7 mm) is measured and its origins are discussed. Besides attenuation increase, radiation is also shown to decrease the thermal degradation stability of the fiber and to increase its susceptibility to water. With regard to complex fiber transmission performance upon irradiation, the optimal operation wavelength region of PF-POF-based systems intended for use in Radiation environments is determined to be around 1.1 μm. On the other hand, the investigated fiber holds potential for low-cost RIA-based optical fiber dosimetry applications with sensitivity as high as 260 dBm⁻¹/kGy in the visible region.
In this paper, we present a collection of machine learning assisted distributed fiber optic sensors (DFOS) for applications in the field of infrastructure monitoring. We employ advanced signal processing based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) to enhance the performance of the dynamic DFOS for strain and vibration sensing. Specifically, ANNs in comparison to conventional and computationally expensive correlation and linearization algorithms, deliver lower strain errors and speed up the signal processing allowing real time strain monitoring. Furthermore, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are used to denoise the dynamic DFOS signal and enable useable sensing lengths of up to 100 km. Applications of the machine learning assisted dynamic DFOS in road traffic and railway infrastructure monitoring are demonstrated. In the field of static DFOS, machine learning is applied to the well-known Brillouin optical frequency domain analysis (BOFDA) system. Specifically, CNN are shown to be very tolerant against noisy spectra and contribute towards significantly shorter measurement times. Furthermore, different machine learning algorithms (linear and polynomial regression, decision trees, ANNs) are applied to solve the well-known problem of cross-sensitivity in cases when temperature and humidity are measured simultaneously. The presented machine learning assisted DFOS can potentially contribute towards enhanced, cost effective and reliable monitoring of infrastructures.
Strain sensors used for structural health monitoring (SHM) must provide reliable measurement data during their entire service lifetime. To achieve this for fibre optic sensors integrated into composites, the integration of the sensor has to be adapted according to the process conditions. This paper describes the fabrication of thermoplastic composite samples with integrated distributed fibre optic sensors (DFOS) based on copper-nickel and polyimide coated silica optical fibres. The performance of these DFOS as SHM sensors is evaluated in terms of reliability by measurements derived from comparative measurements with resistance strain gauges and from fatigue tests with 10 million load cycles.
Here we present the fabrication of a solid-core microstructured polymer optical fiber (mPOF) made of polycarbonate (PC), and report the first experimental demonstration of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) written in a PC optical fiber. The PC used in this work has a glass transition temperature of 145°C. We also characterize the mPOF optically and mechanically, and further test the sensitivity of the PC FBG to strain and temperature. We demonstrate that the PC FBG can bear temperatures as high as 125°C without malfunctioning. In contrast, polymethyl methacrylate-based FBG technology is generally limited to temperatures below 90°C.
Im Rahmen der Integritätsbewertung einer zementierten 13 3/8" Rohrtour einer Sole-Produktionsbohrung wurden erstmals 2018 zeitgleich faseroptische Temperaturmessungen (DTS) und faseroptische Akustikmessungen (DAS) durchgeführt und ausgewertet. Dazu wurde die Bohrung zeitweise mit Stickstoff bespannt und wieder entlastet.
Im Rahmen der Integritätsbewertung einer zementierten 13 3/8" Rohrtour einer Sole-Produktionsbohrung wurden erstmals 2018 zeitgleich faseroptische Temperaturmessungen (DTS, Distributed Temperature Sensing) und faseroptische Akustikmessungen (DAS, Distributed Acoustic Sensing) durchgeführt und ausgewertet. Dazu wurde die Bohrung zeitweise mit Stickstoff bespannt und wieder entlastet. Durch die Bespannung der Bohrung mit Stickstoff in Kombination mit dem Herunterdrücken des Stickstoff-Sole-Spiegels unter den Rohrschuh der 13 3/8" Rohrtour, konnte Stickstoff aus der Kavernenbohrung durch eine Leckagestelle in die Zementation übertreten und dort ein Stickstoff-Reservoir bilden.
Bei der anschließenden Stickstoffentlastung erfolgte der Wiederanstieg des Stickstoff-Sole-Spiegels deutlich schneller als die Entleerung des in der Zementation angelegten Stickstoff-Reservoirs. Der dadurch entstandene Druckgradient hatte zur Folge, dass an der Leckagestelle der Stickstoff aus der Zementation in die aufsteigende Sole in Form von Bläschen eingetreten und dort aufgestiegen ist. Dieser Übertritt der Stickstoffbläschen war sowohl mit der Entstehung eines akustischen Geräusches als auch mit einer Temperaturänderung verbunden, welche mit der DAS- und DTS-Technik nachgewiesen werden konnten.
Um die Ergebnisse bzgl. ihres physikalischen Hintergrundes zu überprüfen und basierend auf einer mathematisch-physikalischen Grundlage eine nachvollziehbare Interpretation der Messergebnisse zu ermöglichen, wurde ein numerisches Simulationsmodell der gekoppelten Festkörper- und Druckakustik für die Bohrung aufgebaut. Das Modell berücksichtigt die Geologie und die Komplettierung der Kavernenbohrung. Nach Identifikation der Schallquelle konnte mit dem Modell die Ausbreitung des Schalldrucks in der Bohrung erfolgreich nachgestellt werden.
Um dieses Verfahren einer simultanen DAS-DTS-Messung in eine feldtaugliche Version zu überführen, läuft seit November 2019 ein breit angelegtes und vom BMWi gefördertes ZIM-Kooperationsprojekt zwischen der Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), der IAB Weimar gGmbH, der GESO GmbH & Co. Projekt KG, der DEEP.KBB GmbH sowie der Rembe Consulting PartG mbB.
Durch die Messdatenkopplung und den Wegfall der bewegungsbedingten Nachteile einer Messsonde werden präzisere Ergebnisse zur Bewertung der Bohrlochintegrität erwartet. Das Ziel ist, mit Hilfe der noch zu entwickelnden einfachen und robusten Technik, quantitative Aussagen über die Zustände im verrohrten Bohrloch direkt am Messplatz treffen zu können, wobei ein Fokus auf Detektierung und Quantifizierung von Kleinstleckagen liegt. Im Rahmen dieses Forschungsprojektes kommt neben numerischen Berechnungen auch ein geplanter Bohrlochsimulator zum Einsatz, mit dem umfangreiche Untersuchungen zur Ermittlung der Grenzparameter und Detektionsschwellen durchgeführt werden sollen.
Der Anstieg der Vielfalt nuklearer Anwendungen weit über die Bereiche der kerntechnischen Stromerzeugung erhöht die Relevanz der Entwicklung und Anwendung neuer Technologien zur Strahlungsüberwachung. Auch die offenen Sicherheitsfragen bei der Entsorgung radioaktiver Abfälle einschließlich Zwischen- und Endlagerungsproblematik verstärkt die Nachfrage nach effizienten Monitoringsystemen zum Schutz von Mensch und Umwelt vor ionisierender Strahlung. Aufgrund ihrer messtechnisch vorteilhaften Materialeigenschaften stellen die faseroptischen Strahlungssensoren eine vielversprechende Alternative zu traditionellen Dosimetern dar. Bedingt durch ihre kleinen Abmessungen, elektromagnetische Unempfindlichkeit und ihr geringes Gewicht können faseroptische Sensoren in einer harschen Umgebung an schwer zugänglichen Stellen eingesetzt werden. Darüber hinaus bietet diese Art der Sensoren die Möglichkeit der ortsverteilten Messung entlang der gesamten Sensorfaser. Somit kann durch eine einzelne optische Faser eine Vielzahl an punktuell messenden Sensoren ersetzt werden. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt die in der BAM vorangetriebenen Entwicklungen unterschiedlicher Sensorprinzipien, -lösungen und -verfahren zur Detektion ionisierender Strahlung.
Focused femtosecond laser pulses are used to create scattering damage in the core of polymer optical fibers (POF). The resulting structures are investigated regarding morphology by light microscopy and backscattered intensity using optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR). Quasi-distributed optical fiber sensing is proposed by evaluating backscatter changes at the inscribed scatter centers. Application examples for quasi-distributed measurement of fiber bends and temperature are demonstrated.
Fiber Bragg grating sensor arrays can be used to monitor the mechanical behavior of rotor blades of wind turbines. In order to investigate how stable and reliably work such sensors, different fiber Bragg gratings were embedded into textile-reinforced composite. Long-term temperature and tensile (fatigue) tests have been carried out with composite structure specimens. This paper reports on selected results of the tests and discusses important reliability aspects with regard to the fiber design and the fiber material.
We propose focused femtosecond laser irradiation to create stable and permanent scattering damage in large-core polymer optical fibers. Possible sensing applications using optical time domain reflectometry are discussed and presented. Experiments show that quasi-distributed fiber bend sensors and absolute temperature sensors can be realized by evaluating backscatter intensities.
This paper reports on a fiber optic sensor for heart rate measurements. The sensor will be integrated into personal protective equipment within the framework of the FP7 EU project i-Protect. Two different sensor prototypes were developed. One is based on fiber Bragg gratings in silica fiber and the other one is based on macrobending effects in polymer optical fiber.
Different types of fiber-optic sensors based on glass or polymeric fibers are used to evaluate material behavior or to monitor the integrity and long-term stability of load-bearing structure components. Fiber-optic sensors have been established as a new and innovative measurement technology in very different fields, such as material science, civil engineering, light-weight structures, geotechnical areas as well as chemical and high-voltage substations. Very often, mechanical quantities such as deformation, strain or vibration are requested. However, measurement of chemical quantities in materials and structure components, such as pH value in steel reinforced concrete members also provides information about the integrity of concrete structures. A special fiber-optic chemical sensor for monitoring the alkaline state (pH value) of the cementitious matrix in steel-reinforced concrete structures with the purpose of early detection of corrosion-initiating factors is described. The paper presents the use of several fiber-optic sensor technologies in engineering. One example concerns the use of highly resolving concrete-embeddable fiber Fabry-Perot acoustic emission (AE) sensors for the assessment of the bearing behaviour of large concrete piles in existing foundations or during and after its installation. Another example concerns fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors attached to anchor steels (micro piles) to measure the strain distribution in loaded soil anchors. Polymer optical fibers (POF) can be — because of their high elasticity and high ultimate strain – well integrated into textiles to monitor their Deformation behaviour. Such 'intelligent' textiles are capable of monitoring displacement of soil or slopes, critical mechanical deformation in geotechnical structures (dikes, dams, and embankments) as well as in masonry structures during and after earthquakes.
We have measured for the first time the shift of the Bragg wavelength and other parameters of fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) exposed to radiation at different wavelengths up to a dose of 100 kGy. The results show that the FBG sensitivity to radiation increases from 820 nm to 1516 nm so that FBGs with higher Bragg wavelength, e.g. 1.55 µm, are good candidates for high dose radiation sensing: no saturation was observed up to 100 kGy and the measured wavelength shift was fairly independent on the radiation dose rate.
We propose the application of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) based on Rayleigh Coherent Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (C-OTDR) to unconventional sensing tasks in industrial condition monitoring. As examples we present results on the way to fibre-optic remote sensing of dielectric damage processes in high voltage cable joints as well as to condition monitoring of passive rollers in large industrial belt conveyor systems.
Fibre-optic sensors are more and more used in geotechnical and civil engineering. There are a big number of applications with the purpose of improvement or proof of the structural integrity. This paper, presents two examples where different fibre sensor types.are exploited for safety-relevant task in geotechnique. Technical textiles with embedded distributed fibre-optic sensors based on Brillouin Scattering in silica optical fibres and OTDR (optical time-domain reflectometry) in polymer optical fibres are presented. Such “smart” technical textiles can be used for reinforcement of geotechnical structures and masonry walls, and the embedded fibre-optic sensors can provide information about the condition of the structures as well as detect the presence of any damage and destructions in real time. Highly sensitive fibre-optic geophones based on Fabry-Perot sensors embedded in large concrete pile can be used for precise measurement of Deformation and wave distribution during static and dynamic pile test. Such sensors make the evaluation of the pile’s integrity and load-bearing capacity easier.