[...]... fibre -optic sensors have been selected for health monitoring, the benefit often more than justifies the higher cost of this type of technology Fibre- optic sensors can even become cost effective when involving a significant number of sensors, such as ˇ´ Fibre Optic Methods for Structural Health Monitoring B Glisic and D Inaudi © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd ISBN: 978-0-470-06142-8 20 Fibre Optic Methods for Structural. .. representation of monitoring strategy (courtesy of SMARTEC) 14 Fibre Optic Methods for Structural Health Monitoring 5 Monitoring is performed continuously during the exposition’s opening hours 6 The data received from the monitoring is used to stop overloading of the platform by visitors and to evacuate the exhibition area in the case of structural malfunction 7 To make monitoring costs affordable, taking... the monitoring strategy Appropriate algorithms and tools compatible with the chosen monitoring system have to be selected Figure 1.3 Possible methods of storage and access to data (courtesy of SMARTEC) 10 Fibre Optic Methods for Structural Health Monitoring The monitoring strategy is often limited by the budget available From a monitoring performance point of view, the best is to use powerful monitoring. .. occurs only after a significant malfunction that develops over a long period Therefore, in order to decrease the cost of monitoring, the measurements can be preformed less frequently, depending on the expected structural behaviour An example is given below 8 Fibre Optic Methods for Structural Health Monitoring for static monitoring of concrete structures: Early and very early age of concrete Possible... these requests 4 Fibre Optic Methods for Structural Health Monitoring Monitoring can discover hidden (unknown) structural reserves and, consequently, allows for better exploitation of traditional materials and better exploitation of existing structures In this case, the same structure can accept a higher load; that is, more performance is obtained without construction costs Finally, monitoring helps... namely static monitoring, dynamic monitoring, and system identification and modal analysis, and these categories can be combined Each approach is characterized by advantages and challenges, and which one (or ones) will be used depends mainly on the structural behaviour and the goals of monitoring 6 Table 1.2 Fibre Optic Methods for Structural Health Monitoring Breakdown structure of the core monitoring. .. structure and the monitoring system were dismantled The monitoring system was returned to the monitoring company An example of the complete monitoring process and interaction with monitoring actors has been presented in order to illustrate the notions developed and presented in the previous two sections 2 Fibre- Optic Sensors 2.1 Introduction to Fibre- Optic Technology A typical health- monitoring system... sensors for the most diverse types of measurements and applications In this overview, we will concentrate on sensors for health monitoring that have reached an industrial level or are at least at the stage of advanced field trials This chapter is not intended to give a detailed description of each technology, but rather to serve as a general overview 22 Fibre Optic Methods for Structural Health Monitoring. .. such monitoring can be very elevated and unaffordable That is why it is important to develop an optimal monitoring strategy, providing good evaluation of structural behaviour, but also affordable in terms of costs There are no two identical structures; consequently, the monitoring strategy is different for each structure Methods used to develop a monitoring strategy that is optimal in terms of monitoring. .. legal authority) The monitoring authority finances the monitoring and benefits from it It is responsible for defining the monitoring aims and for approving the proposed monitoring strategy The same authority is later responsible for maintenance and data management (directly or by subcontracting to the monitoring company or contractor) The consultant proposes a monitoring strategy to the monitoring authority .