Abstract
Two innovative optical fibre cable layouts designed to improve BOTDA strain measurement accuracy through improved strain transfer efficiency are presented, discussed and tested through experiments, analytical and numerical modelling. The second improved design presents good features to minimize the mismatch between measured and actual strain.
Highlights
Optical fiber sensors represent one of the most interesting technologies for the monitoring of structures in many different fields
An experimental setup based on swept Swept Wavelength Interferometry (SWI) distributed strain sensing technique is used alongside analytical and numerical simulations to accurately evaluate the strain affecting sensing cables built from two new designs intended for Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) and is compared to the strain perceived by the structure they are attached to in order to evaluate their strain transfer efficiency
The strain transfer improvement from the first sensing cable with respect to the second can be seen at the highest load levels, where even in the midline (x = 135 mm), there is a mismatch between the strain of the first sensing cable and the strain of the gauge, representing an incomplete strain transfer
Summary
Optical fiber sensors represent one of the most interesting technologies for the monitoring of structures in many different fields. While a great deal of study focuses on the interrogating system, an important factor for BOTDA sensors performance is the structure on the sensing cable. This is because in most applications, exposure to harsh environmental conditions makes it necessary for the sensing fiber to be protected by additional layers, but this can cause a mismatch between the strain at the core (the measured strain) and the strain in the outer cable sheath (the real strain) [11], which becomes even more significant. An experimental setup based on swept Swept Wavelength Interferometry (SWI) distributed strain sensing technique is used alongside analytical and numerical simulations to accurately evaluate the strain affecting sensing cables built from two new designs intended for BOTDA and is compared to the strain perceived by the structure they are attached to in order to evaluate their strain transfer efficiency
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