Distributed fiber optic sensors for tunnel monitoring:A state-of-the-art review

Distributed fiber optic sensors(DFOSs)possess the capability to measure strain and temperature variations over long distances,demonstrating outstanding potential for monitoring underground infrastructure.This study presents a state-of-the-art review of the DFOS applications for monitoring and assessing the deformation behavior of typical tunnel infrastructure,including bored tunnels,conventional tunnels,as well as immersed and cut-and-cover tunnels.DFOS systems based on Brillouin and Rayleigh scattering principles are both considered.When implementing DFOS monitoring,the fiber optic cable can be primarily installed along transverse and longitudinal directions to(1)measure distributed strains by continuously adhering the fiber to the structure’s surface or embedding it in the lining,or(2)measure point displacements by spot-anchoring it on the lining surface.There are four critical aspects of DFOS monitoring,including proper selection of the sensing fiber,selection of the measuring principle for the specific application,design of an effective sensor layout,and establishment of robust field sensor instrumentation.These four issues are comprehensively discussed,and practical suggestions are provided for the implementation of DFOS in tunnel infrastructure monitoring.

Distributed optical fiber acoustic sensor for in situ monitoring of marine natural gas hydrates production for the first time in the Shenhu Area,China

The distributed acoustic sensor(DAS)uses a single optical cable as the sensing unit,which can capture the acoustic and vibration signals along the optical cable in real-time.So it is suitable for monitoring downhole production activities in the process of oil and gas development.The authors applied the DAS system in a gas production well in the South China Sea for in situ monitoring of the whole wellbore for the first time and obtained the distributed acoustic signals along the whole wellbore.These signals can clearly distinguish the vertical section,curve section,and horizontal production section.The collected acoustic signal with the frequency of approximately 50 Hz caused by the electric submersible pump exhibit a signal-to-noise ratio higher than 27 dB.By analyzing the acoustic signals in the production section,it can be located the layers with high gas production rates.Once an accurate physical model is built in the future,the gas production profile will be obtained.In addition,the DAS system can track the trajectory of downhole tools in the wellbore to guide the operation.Through the velocity analysis of the typical signals,the type of fluids in the wellbore can be distinguished.The successful application of the system provides a promising whole wellbore acoustic monitoring tool for the production of marine gas hydrate,with a good application prospect.

DISTRIBUTED MICROBEND FIBER-OPTIC STRAIN SENSOR

The distributed strain sensor has significant application in real time measurement of strain status for large and important engineering structures such as aircraft, bridge and dam. In this paper, a quasi distributed optical fiber strain sensor system is set up using optical time domain reflect technique. The local strain sensors based on a novel microbend configuration are designed and applied to measure local strains along the optical fiber. As the result of the experimental research, the microbend sensors show high sensitivity, good linearity and repeatability in certain operation range.

Network Integration of Distributed Optical Fiber Temperature Sensor

The integration of distributed optical fiber temperature sensor with supervisory control and data acquisition （SCADA） system is proposed and implemented. In the implementation of the integration, both the compatibility with traditional system and the characteristics of distributed optical fiber temperature sensor is considered before Modbus TCP/IP protocol is chosen. The protocol is implemented with open source component Indy. The Modbus TCP/IP protocol used in the system is proved to be fast and robust.

Practical Pattern Recognition System for Distributed Optical Fiber Intrusion Monitoring Based on Ф-COTDR

At present, the demand for perimeter security system is in-creasing greatly, especially for such system based on distribut-ed optical fiber sensing. This paper proposes a perimeter se-curity monitoring system based on phase-sensitive coherentoptical time domain reflectometry(Ф-COTDR) with the practi-cal pattern recognition function. We use fast Fourier trans-form(FFT) to exact features from intrusion events and a multi-class classification algorithm derived from support vector ma-chine(SVM) to work as a pattern recognition technique. Fivedifferent types of events are classified by using a classifica-tion algorithm based on SVM through a three-dimensional fea-ture vector. Moreover, the identification results of the patternrecognition system show that an identification accurate rate of92.62% on average can be achieved.

Stress Sensing by an Optical Fiber Sensor: Method and Process for the Characterization of the Sensor Response Depending on Several Designs

In this paper we propose an analyzing of the response of a stress optical fiber sensor of which we proposed several design. We show that an optical fiber sensor with these designs can covenanting allow the measuring the force/stress applied to a mechanical structure or which it is linked, by optimizing the uses of appropriate materials for constituting the sensor support. The experiment that we introduce to validate our approach based in principles includes design with a support bearing a multimode optical fiber organized in such a way that the transmitted light is attenuated when the fiber-bending angle coming from stitching in holes of the support is modified by the effects of the force/stress applied to the optical fiber sensor realized in this way. The tests realized concern the most relevant parameters that define the performances of the stress sensor that we propose. We present the problems that we to solved for the optimization of the sensor for selecting the more efficient material for the optical fiber sensor support related to a relevant choice of optical fibers.

An all optical fiber gas sensor of NH3 and CO based on based on the spectral absorption and harmonic detection

An all optical fiber gas sensor is presented to detect the concentration of NH3 and CO. Based on the spectral absorption, The wideband light source is used to reflect two narrowband spectra by fiber grating of different duty. and piezoelectric ceramics to obtain narrowband output light. The high sensitivity detection can be measured from the second harmonic signal. The two narrowband spectra are corresponding to the absorption spectra of NH3 and CO. Concentration detection are realized by the detection of variety of light intensity. Sensitivity is proved and cost is reduced.

Landslide Monitoring Based on High-Resolution Distributed Fiber Optic Stress Sensor

A landslide monitoring application is presented by using a high-resolution distributed fiber optic stress sensor. The sensor is used to monitor the intra-stress distribution and variations in landslide bodies, and can be used for the early warning of the occurrence of the landslides. The principle of distributed fiber optic stress sensing and the intra-stress monitoring method for landslides are described in detail. By measuring the distributed polarization mode coupling in the polarization-maintaining fiber, the distributed fiber stress sensor with stress measuring range 0 to 15 MPa, spatial resolution 10 cm and measuring range 0.5 km, is designed. The warning system is also investigated experimentally in the field trial.

Distributed Fiber Optic Monitoring and Stability Analysis of a Model Slope under Surcharge Loading

In the discipline of geotechnical engineering, fiber optic sensor based distributed monitoring has played an increasingly important role over the past few decades. Compared with conventional sensors, fiber optic sensors have a variety of exclusive advantages, such as smaller size, higher precision, and better corrosion resistance. These innovative monitoring technologies have been successfully applied for performance monitoring of geo-structures and early warning of potential geo- hazards around the world. In order to investigate their ability to monitor slope stability problems, a medium-sized model of soil nailed slope has been constructed in laboratory. The fully distributed Brillouin optical time-domain analysis （BOTDA） sensing technology was employed to measure the horizontal strain distributions inside the model slope. During model construction, a specially designed strain sensing fiber was buried in the soil mass. Afterward, the surcharge loading was applied on the slope crest in stages using hydraulic jacks and a reaction frame. During testing, an NBX-6o5o BOTDA sensing interrogator was used to collect the fiber optic sensing data. The test results have been analyzed in detail, which shows that the fiber optic sensors can capture the progressive deformation and failure pattern of the model slope. The limit equilibrium analyses were also conducted to obtain the factors ofsafety of the slope under different surface loadings. It is found that the characteristic maximum strains can reflect the stability of the model slope and an empirical relationship was obtained, This study verified the effectiveness of the distributed BOTDA sensing technology in performance monitoring of slope.

Two Sorts of Fiber Optic Sensor Monitoring the Cure Process of Composite Laminate

Two new sorts of fiber optic sensor are designed. Firstly, the variation of refractive index of resin surrounding the embedded fiber optic was mean to observed by measuring the speckle spatial spectrum at the end-face of the fiber optic. Secondly, it is proposed to measuring the change of thickness of the laminate by using fiber optic microbend attenuation. The experiment results measured by the fiber optic sensors are given. The first sort of sensor was found to be able to detect the viscosity process of the resin matrix during cure process including the minimum point of viscosity, the gelation point and the end point of cure process; the second sort of sensor could detect the course of change of the thickness of composite laminate pressed by operation pressure. It is benefit for us to optimize the operation technology and to establish the intelligent monitoring system about curing process of composites for the reason that the viscosity process and the change course of the thickness of laminate can be monitored.

Recent Progress in Distributed Optical Fiber Raman Photon Sensors at China Jiliang University

A brief review of recent progress in researches, productions and applications of full distributed fiber Raman photon sensors at China Jiliang University （CJLU） is presented. In order to improve the measurement distance, the accuracy, the space resolution, the ability of multi-parameter measurements, and the intelligence of full distributed fiber sensor systems, a new generation fiber sensor technology based on the optical fiber nonlinear scattering fusion principle is proposed. A series of new generation full distributed fiber sensors are investigated and designed, which consist of new generation ultra-long distance full distributed fiber Raman and Rayleigh scattering photon sensors integrated with a fiber Raman amplifier, auto-correction full distributed fiber Raman photon temperature sensors based on Raman correlation dual sources, full distributed fiber Raman photon temperature sensors based on a pulse coding source, full distributed fiber Raman photon temperature sensors using a fiber Raman wavelength shifter, a new type of Brillouin optical time domain analyzers （BOTDAs） integrated with a fiber Raman amplifier for replacing a fiber Brillouin amplifier, full distributed fiber Raman and Brillouin photon sensors integrated with a fiber Raman amplifier, and full distributed fiber Brillouin photon sensors integrated with a fiber Brillouin frequency shifter. The Internet of things is believed as one of candidates of the next technological revolution, which has driven hundreds of millions of class markets. Sensor networks are important components of the Internet of things. The full distributed optical fiber sensor network （Rayleigh, Raman, and Brillouin scattering） is a 3S （smart materials, smart structure, and smart skill） system, which is easy to construct smart fiber sensor networks. The distributed optical fiber sensor can be embedded in the power grids, railways, bridges, tunnels, roads, constructions, water supply systems, dams, oil and gas pipelines and other facilities, and can be integrated with wireless networks.

Active wavefront shaping for controlling and improving multimode fi ber sensor

Wavefront shaping(WFS)techniques have been used as a powerful tool to control light propagation in complex media,including multimode fibers.In this paper,we propose a new application of WFS for multimode fber-based sensors.The use of a single multimode fiber alone,without any special fabrication,as a sensor based on the light intensity variations is not an easy task.The twist effect on multimode fiber is used as an example herein.Experimental results show that light intensity through the multimode fiber shows no direct relationship with the twist angle,but the correlation coefficient(CC)of speckle patterns does.Moreover,if WFS is applied to transform the spatially seemingly random light pattern at the exit of the multimode fiber into an optical focus.The focal pattern correlation and intensity both can serve to gauge the twist angle,with doubled measurement range and allowance of using a fast point detector to provide the feedback.With further development,WFS may find potentials to facilitate the development of multimode fber-based sensors in a variety of scenarios.

Generation of tunable multi-wavelength optical short pulses using self-seeded Fabry-Perot laser diode and tilted multimode fiber Bragg grating

We experimentally demonstrate the simultaneous generation of tunable multi-wavelength picosecond laser pulses using a self-seeding configuration that consists of a gain-switched Fabry-Perot laser diode （FPLD） with an external cavity formed by a tilted multimode fiber Bragg grating. Dual- and triple-wavelength pulses are obtained and tuned in a flexible manner by changing the temperature of the FPLD. The side mode suppression ratio larger than 25 dB is achieved at different dual- and triple-wavelengths and the typical pulsewidth of the output pulses is ,-70 ps. In the experiment, the wavelength separation can be narrowed to 0.57 nm.

Development of Fully-Distributed Fiber Sensors Based on Brillouin Scattering

Brillouin scattering based optical fiber sensors(BOFS)have the unique advantages over other sensors such as long distance,fully distributed,and multi-parameter sensing.The progresses on the development of BOFS technology in Nanjing University are reviewed.The key technologies to make BOFS with ultra-long distance,high spatial resolution,and fast measuring speed are discussed and realized.

Distributed fiber optic monitoring of a CFA pile with a central reinforcement bar bundle

In this paper,we present an application of distributed fiber optic sensor(DFOS)technology to measure the strain of a continuous flight auger(CFA)test pile with a central reinforcement bar bundle,during a static load test carried out in London.Being distributed in nature,DFOS gives much more information about the pile performance as compared to traditional point sensors,such as identifying cross-sectional irregularities or other anomalies.The strain profiles recorded along the depth of the piles from the DFOS were used to calculate pile deformation(contraction),shaft friction,and tip resistance under various loads.Based on this pile load test,a finite element(FE)analysis was performed using a one-dimensional nonlinear load-transfer model.Calibrated by the shaft friction and tip resistance derived from the monitored data,the FE model was able to simulate the pile and soil performance during the load testing with good accuracy.The effect of the reinforcement cage and central reinforcement bar bundle were investigated,and it was found that the addition of a reinforcement cage would reduce the pile settlement by up to 20%.

Going beyond 1000000 resolved points in a Brillouin distributed fiber sensor: theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration

Distributed fiber sensing possesses the unique ability to measure the distributed profile of an environmental quantity along many tens of kilometers with spatial resolutions in the meter or even centimeter scale.This feature enables distributed sensors to provide a large number of resolved points using a single optical fiber.However,in current systems,this number has remained constrained to a few hundreds of thousands due to the finite signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of the measurements,which imposes significant challenges in the development of more performing sensors.Here,we propose and experimentally demonstrate an ultimately optimized distributed fiber sensor capable of resolving 2100000 independent points,which corresponds to a one-orderof-magnitude improvement compared to the state-of-the-art.Using a Brillouin distributed fiber sensor based on phase-modulation correlation-domain analysis combined with temporal gating of the pump and time-domain acquisition,a spatial resolution of 8.3 mm is demonstrated over a distance of 17.5 km.The sensor design addresses the most relevant factors impacting the SNR and the performance of medium-to-long range sensors as well as of sub-meter spatial resolution schemes.This step record in the number of resolved points could be reached due to two theoretical models proposed and experimentally validated in this study:one model describes the spatial resolution of the system and its relation with the sampling interval,and the other describes the amplitude response of the sensor,providing an accurate estimation of the SNR of the measurements.

High sensitivity cascaded helical-core fiber SPR sensors

The distributed optical fiber surface plasmon resonance(SPR)sensors have attracted wide attention in biosensing and chemical sensing applications.However,due to the limitation of their sensing structure,it is difficult to adjust their res-onant wavelength and sensitivity.Here,novel and flexible cascaded helical-core fiber[HCF)SPR sensors are proposed theoretically and experimentally for distributed sensing applications.It is shown that the resonant wavelength and sensitivity of the sensors can be conveniently controlled by adjusting the twist pitch of the helical core.A high sensitivity of 11,180 nm/RIU for refractive-index measurement ranging from 1.355 to 1.365 is realized experimentally when the twist pitch of the helical core is 1.5 mm.It is worth noting that the sensitivity can be further improved by reducing the twist pitch.For example,the sensitivity of the sensor with a twist pitch of 1.4 mm can theoretically exceed 20,000 nm/RIU.This work opens up a new way to implement multi-parameter or distributed measurement,especially to establish sensing networks integrated in a single-core fiber or a multi-core fiber.

Fiber optic sensing technologies potentially applicable for hypersonic wind tunnel harsh environments

Advanced sensing techniques are in big demand for applications in hypersonic wind tunnel harsh environments,such as aero(thermo)dynamics measurements,thermal protection of aircraft structures,air-breathing propulsion,light-weighted and highstrength materials,etc.In comparison with traditional electromechanical or electronic sensors,the fiber optic sensors have relatively high potential to work in hypersonic wind tunnel,due to the capability of responding to a wide variety of parameters,high resolution,miniature size,high resistant to electromagnetic and radio frequency interferences,and multiplexing,and so on.This article has classified and summarized the research status and the representative achievement on the fiber optic sensing technologies,giving special attention to the summary of research status on the popular Fabry-Perot interferometric,fiber Bragg gratings and(quasi)distributed fiber optic sensors working in hypersonic wind tunnel environment,and discussed the current problems in special optical fiber sensing technologies.This article would be regarded as reference for the researchers in hypersonic wind tunnel experiment field.

Application of Brillouin Optical Correlation Domain Analysis for Crack Identification in Concrete Structure

This paper investigates the application of distributed optical fiber strain sensors to civil engineering structures, because no other tool can satisfactorily detect the location of the unpredictable phenomenon. In fact, the locations of cracks in the concrete structure are unknown a priori; therefore, a fully distributed sensor is necessary to detect them. The Brillouin optical correlation domain analysis （BOCDA）, which offers high spatial resolution by using stimulated Brillouin scattering along the whole length of the optical fiber, is used in a wide range of civil engineering applications, and the same has undergone significant development over the last decade. In this paper, it is demonstrated how a BOCDA-based strain sensor can be employed to monitor cracks in concrete. Crack monitoring on the surface of the concrete member provides useful information for evaluating stiffness and durability of the structure, particularly for early detection of tiny cracks, which is essential for preventing crack growth and dispersion. The crack-induced strain distribution was analytically investigated, and it was proved that BOCDA can identify even a small crack before its visual recognition by a beam test. Moreover, periodical crack monitoring was successfully executed on a pedestrian deck for five years.

A novel smart steel strand based on optical-electrical co-sensing for full-process and full-scale monitoring of prestressing concrete structures

As the main load bearing component,the steel strand has a significant impact on the safety of civil infrastructure.Real-time monitoring of steel strand stress distribution throughout the damage process is an impor-tant aspect of civil infrastructure health assessment.Hence,this study proposes an optical-electrical co-sensing(OECS)smart steel strand with the DOFS and CCFPI embedded in.It can simultaneously measure small strains in the initial damage phase with high accuracy and obtain information in the large deformation phase with relatively low precision.Several experiments were carried out to test its sensing performance.It shows both DOFS and CCFPI have good linearity,repeatability and hysteresis.In comparison to DOFS,CCFPI has a relatively lower accuracy and resolution,but a large enough measurement range to tolerate the large strain in the event of a steel strand failure.To verify the reliability of the proposed smart steel strand in real structures,the strand strain distribution in the full damage process of bonded prestressed beams under four-point bending loading was monitored using the smart steel strand as a prestressing tendon.The strain measured by the OECS steel strand is shown to reflect the deformation and stiffness variation of prestressed beams under different load.