Development of fiber optic inclinometers for bridge monitoring

Abstract

It is important to develop an efficient maintenance strategy for existing infrastructures. In this study, a new sensor was developed to establish a new concept of health monitoring of existing bridges. Bridges always show 3 dimensional dynamic behaviours with deflection or torsion by external turbulences such as traffic, winds, and earthquakes. Temperature is also an important factor that governs bridge motions. In order to detect and analyse damage and conditions of bridges, it is essential to monitor these 3 dimensional dynamic responses of bridges. Especially, dynamic torsional behaviours of bridges have not been discussed on so far, but it is expected that they give much information on damage and conditions of bridges. In this study, a new fiber optic sensor, that is, an fiber optic inclinometer was proposed for a new bridge monitoring strategy based on torsional behaviours. Through the tests on dynamic characteristics and temperature effects, the new sensor was developed and verified.