In this paper, we propose and experimentally validate the use of a distributed optical fiber sensor for monitoring pipeline dislocation. The proposed technique is based on the measurement of the normal strain, by use of stimulated Brillouin scattering, along three longitudinal directions running along the pipeline. We demonstrate that, by choosing three lines reciprocally displaced by 120. around the circumference of the pipeline, it is possible to measure the amount and direction of pipeline dislocation. The longitudinal position at which the deformation occurs is also evaluated. The measurements achieved by using the proposed technique can be directly used to monitor the structural integrity of the pipeline, as well as to monitor the deformations of the rock/soil surrounding the pipeline. This can be of importance to monitor geological events. Numerical simulations carried out by the finite-element method have been employed to evaluate the accuracy of the measurements.
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