Excess pore pressure observation in marine sediment based on Fiber Bragg Grating pressure sensor

Abstract

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology has emerged as a relatively new sensing technology for engineering applications because of lots of advantages. In this study, a large diameter probe instrumented with FBG pressure sensors to monitor excess pore pressure in marine sediment is proposed. The principle of FBG differential pressure sensor was introduced. Laboratory tests were carried out to check the workability and stability of the FBG pressure sensor. Offshore field test was also conducted in a wharf in Qingdao of China to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed probe. The installation procedure of the probe was introduced in detail. The excess pore pressure in dissipation test, after installation and pulling process were reported. The permeability coefficient of marine sediment was calculated based on the measured data. The field data show that the proposed probe based on FBG pressure sensor has good feasibility and accuracy in monitoring the excess pore pressure of marine sediment. The generation and dissipation of excess pore pressure is closely related to the degree of soil disturbance. The variation of excess pore pressure after installation can reflect the tide well in the site.