Development of an optical measurement system for strain determination in concrete structures

Abstract

Health monitoring activities in concrete structures are crucial tools in Civil Engineering for both maintenance processes and durability assessment. These activities carry significant economic implications within the field of civil projects. At the regional level, locally produced products and services for such monitoring are lacking. This deficiency is likely due to the high costs associated with importing and deploying such systems, thus limiting the implementation of structural health monitoring practices. However, strain measurement is a key parameter in structural monitoring techniques, and optical sensors have emerged as attractive alternatives due to their inherent advantages over conventional technologies. Recognizing the potential benefits and economic impact of such systems in civil project management, and noting the void in the regional market, this article presents the results of a technological development undertaken as part of a start-up technological project. Specifically, an optical system was designed, implemented, and tested for strain measurement in concrete structures using locally manufactured fiber optic sensors based on Bragg gratings.