Abstract
ABSTRACT Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors are increasingly used to monitor road pavement infrastructures due to their sensitivity and resilience. However, challenges such as mechanical vulnerability and effective strain and stress transfer remain critical. This study addresses these challenges by evaluating the effectiveness of four distinct filling materials (bitumen mastic, polymeric resin, polymeric sealant and flexible polymeric sealant) for installing encapsulated FBG sensors in pavement grooves. An innovative laboratory testing methodology was developed to assess the suitability of these materials in ensuring accurate strain transfer and mechanical protection. Specifically, the research involved embedding FBG sensors in fibreglass rods and testing their performance with various filling materials under controlled conditions. Among the tested materials, the polymeric sealant exhibited the best performance, demonstrating only a minimal stiffness reduction of 5% and acceptable fatigue resistance, closely mimicking the behaviour of conventional asphalt mixtures. These findings offer valuable insights into the practical implementation of FBG sensors in pavement structures and highlight the critical importance of selecting appropriate embedding materials to preserve pavement integrity and ensure precise, long-term monitoring.
Published Version
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