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- Distributed acoustic sensing (5)
- Fiber optics sensors (3)
- Optical time domain reflectometry (3)
- Structural health monitoring (3)
- Artificial neural networks (2)
- DAS (2)
- Distributed fiber optic sensing (2)
- Distributed strain sensing (2)
- Electronic speckle pattern interferometry (2)
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Organisationseinheit der BAM
Strain sensors embedded in or attached to structural components have to measure the real deformation of the structure over the whole period of use. The user must know how reliably installed sensors provide strain measurement results. For this purpose, test facilities or coupon tests are used. In order to characterize the strain transfer quality from the host structure into surface-applied strain sensors, a unique testing facility has been developed. This facility can be used both for fiber optic and resistance strain sensors. Originally developed for fiber Bragg grating based sensors, the KALFOS facility (=calibration of fiber optic sensors) uses Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometer (ESPI) as unbiased referencing methods. It is possible to determine experimentally the strain transfer mechanism under combined thermal and mechanical loading conditions. This experimental characterization method will reveal weaknesses in commonly used strain sensors, and the investigation of the material systems used for fiber optic and other strain sensors (particularly the coating/substrate - adhesive combination). The KALFOS facility allows matching of specific measurement requirements with environmental conditions.
Surface-applied fibre optic strain sensors were investigated using a unique validation facility equipped with application-independent optical reference systems. First, different adhesives for the sensor's application were analysed regarding their material properties. Measurements resulting from conventional measurement techniques, such as thermo-mechanical analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis, were compared with measurements resulting from digital image correlation, which has the advantage of being a non-contact technique. Second, fibre optic strain sensors were applied to test specimens with the selected adhesives. Their strain-transfer mechanism was analysed in comparison with conventional strain gauges. Relative movements between the applied sensor and the test specimen were visualized easily using optical reference methods, digital image correlation and electronic speckle pattern interferometry. Conventional strain gauges showed limited opportunities for an objective strain-transfer analysis because they are also affected by application conditions.
Fibre optic strain sensors used in practical applications have to provide reliable measurements. Therefore, the applied sensor and the sensor systems must be validated experimentally. This can be achieved with facilities which use physically independent measurement systems in order to avoid the influences caused by the application of a reference sensor. This paper describes the testing methods of the specially developed validation facility KALFOS for the qualification and evaluation of surface-applied strain sensors. For reliable sensor results, the performance of fibre optic strain patches with and without FBG under combined thermal and mechanical loading was investigated. Additionally, the strain gauge factor of the fibre optic strain patches with FBG was determined experimentally and compared to the specified strain gauge factor. These results will be the basis for the development of guidelines and standards concerning the application of the sensors.
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).
The feasibility of traffic monitoring along a major urban road using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is demonstrated. We present measurement results of conventional intensity-based DAS along a dark fiber in a tubed fiber optic cable buried roadside. With only minimal postprocessing different classes of traffic participants can be distinguished (cars, bikes, pedestrians). Different methods for pre-processing raw data are compared, especially with regard to providing suitable inputs for pattern recognition algorithms. Furthermore, the various challenges for automatized vehicle detection and classification related to varying sensitivity and inhomogeneous signal propagation are discussed. Sensitivity fluctuations and variations are in part inherent to the measurement technology and originate in part in ground conditions. The measurement quality and usefulness for traffic monitoring of intensity-based DAS is compared to that of state-of-the-art phase-resolved DAS, allowing quantitative evaluation of vibration signals.
A unique testing facility (KALFOS) using ESPI (electronic speckle pattern interferometery) as a referencing method has been realized for the characterisation of the strain transfer process from a component under load into surface applied fibre Bragg grating based strain sensors. The strain transfer mechanism can be described experimentally, while matching specific measurement requirements and environmental conditions.
We propose the use of alternating pulse wavelengths in a direct-detection coherent optical time domain reflectometry (C-OTDR) setup not only to measure strain and temperature changes but also to determine the correct algebraic sign of the change. The sign information is essential for the intended use in distributed mode shape analysis of civil engineering structures. Correlating relative backscatter signal shifts in the temporal/signal domain allows for measuring with correct magnitude and sign. This novel approach is simulated, experimentally implemented and demonstrated for temperature change measurement at a spatial resolution of 1 m.
Distributed vibration sensing in optical fibers opened entirely new opportunities and penetrated various sectors from security to seismic monitoring. Here, we demonstrate a most simple and robust approach for dynamic strain measurement using wavelength-scanning coherent optical time domain reflectometry (C-OTDR). Our method is based on laser current modulation and Rayleigh backscatter shift correlation. As opposed to common single-wavelength phase demodulation techniques, also the algebraic sign of the strain change is retrieved. This is crucial for the intended applications in structural health monitoring and modal analysis. A linear strain response down to 47.5 pε and strain noise of 100 pε/√Hz is demonstrated for repetition rates in the kHz range. A field application of a vibrating bridge is presented. Our approach provides a cost-effective high-resolution method for structural vibration analysis and geophysical applications.
Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) over tens of kilometers of fiber optic cables is well-suited for monitoring extended railway infrastructures. As DAS produces large, noisy datasets, it is important to optimize algorithms for precise tracking of train position, speed, and the number of train cars, The purpose of this study is to compare different data analysis strategies and the resulting parameter uncertainties. We present data of an ICE 4 train of the Deutsche Bahn AG, which was recorded with a commercial DAS system. We localize the train signal in the data either along the temporal or spatial direction, and a similar velocity standard deviation of less than 5 km/h for a train moving at 160 km/h is found for both analysis methods, The data can be further enhanced by peak finding as well as faster and more flexible neural network algorithms. Then, individual noise peaks due to bogie clusters become visible and individual train cars can be counted. From the time between bogie signals, the velocity can also be determined with a lower standard deviation of 0.8 km/h, The analysis methods presented here will help to establish routines for near real-time Train tracking and train integrity analysis.
Wavelength-scanning distributed acoustic sensing for structural monitoring and seismic applications
(2019)
We introduce wavelength-scanning coherent optical time domain reflectometry (WS-COTDR) for dynamic vibration sensing along optical fibers. The method is based on spectral shift computation from Rayleigh backscatter spectra. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used for fast and high-resolution strain computation from raw measurement data. The applicability of the method is demonstrated for vibration monitoring of a reinforced concrete bridge. We demonstrate another application example for quasi-static and dynamic measurement of ground deformation and surface wave propagation along a dark fiber in a telecommunication cable.