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Sensors for large smart composite footbridge (decid2)

Collaboration between IDIL and IFSTTAR to integrate FBG sensors into concrete within the framework of civil engineering applications.

IDIL has developped 176 Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) sensors photo-imprinted on 24 connectorized optical fibers. Those optical fibers were designed to withstand alkaline metal while resins with a special reticulation process were used. Consequently, the manufactured cable is flexible enough to be packaged in strand and to follow the geometry of the structure that must be monitored. This particulat shape enables to ensure a continuous and efficient fixation into concrete. Otherwise, this specific coating which consists of a semi-stiff cable allows a perfect information transfer from the concrete as far as the optical fiber without any change in the deformation field.

  • Fiber Bragg Gratings sensors
  • Flexible cable to follow the geometry of the structure
  • Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR)
  • Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR)
  • Brillouin or Raman frequency interval measurements
DECID2
Period 2008-2012
Research Institute Collaboration French Institute of Science and Technology for Transport, Development and Networks (IFSTTAR)
Objective Demonstartors made out of smart composites with double-capacity of structural health monitoring in-situ by both optical fiber sensors and ultrasonic patchs
Footbridge dimensions 20m long x 7m large
Composition Pultruded composites: glass fiber/vinylester and carbon/epoxy
IDIL objectives Integration of fiber optic sensors embedded in a beam of the footbridge by pultrusion
Sensors types Strain, temperature, vibration
Number of sensors 176 FBG sensors
Composition Glass fiber, epoxy resin
Optical fiber Single mode 1.5 µm SMF 28 (G 652 standard)
Number of fibers 6 fibers per beam (24 fibers in total)
Length 10cm ≤ L ≤ 50m
Outer diameter 80µm fiber
Connector type FC/APC
Number of connectors 48 connectors
Metallic jacket diameter 4.6mm. The length must be specified
Number fo beams 4
Transfer coefficient >0,9
Thermal expansion coefficient 2.2 10-6°C
Strength resistance 480MPa
Elastic elongation 3%

Project financed by the single interministerial funds of the DGCIS, the Pays de la Loire, Brittany and Picardy regions to the tune of 2 million euros for an overall budget of 3.5 million euros. The project brings together the following partners: ETPO, DFC, IDIL Fibres Optiques, IXFIBER, Synervia and Cetim as well as the Larmaur laboratories of the University of Rennes 1, GeM of the University of Nantes and the Central School of Nantes and Ifsttar.

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