Implementation of a fiber Bragg grating sensor network for structural monitoring of a new stone bridge

摘要

The implementation of a large sensing network based on fiber optic sensors forthe structural health monitoring of a new five arch stone bridge with a total span of 60 m overVizela River (Felgueiras, Portugal) is presented. In addition to the implemented instrumentationwith conventional sensors, four different types of fiber Bragg grating based sensors were speciallydeveloped for measuring temperature, strain and displacement in several critical points ofthe structure. In total, 85 Bragg sensors were installed and more than 800 m of fiber cables weredeployed along the bridge. The fiber optic sensing network installed on the bridge was entirelymonitored by using a single measurement unit designed for collecting and archiving the signalsfrom all the fiber Bragg grating sensors, and also to allow remote access to the important datathrough a standard GPRS connection.