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

Abstract

As it is the case in many European countries, there is in Portugal a large number of bridges with stone arches, which are traditionally old and were not designed for the loads and traffic that are presently crossing them. Moreover, several bridges of this type show clear signs of structural degradation and lack of maintenance that may lead into situations where safety is not assured. Therefore, the possibility of monitoring and analyzing the structural behavior of a real bridge with stone arches represents an important contribution for the knowledge of this type of structures. The work presented here refers to the development and implementation of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based sensing network for structural monitoring of a new stone bridge over Vizela River in Vila Fria, Felgueiras, Portugal (Figure 1).