Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) with emerging technologies like e.g. fibre optic sensors, lasers, radars, acoustic emission and Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) made an entrance into the civil engineering field in last decades. Expansion of new technologies together with development in data communication benefited for rapid development. The author has been doing research as well as working with SHM and related tasks nearly a decade. Both theoretical knowledge and practical experience are gained in this constantly developing field. This doctoral thesis presents lessons learned in SHM and sensory technologies when monitoring civil engineering structures, mostly bridges. Nevertheless, these techniques can also be used in most applications related to civil engineering like dams, high rise buildings, off-shore platforms, pipelines, harbour structures and historical monuments. Emerging and established technologies are presented, discussed and examples are given based on the experience achieved. A special care is given to Fibre Optic Sensor (FOS) technology and its latest approach. Results from crack detection testing, long-term monitoring, and sensor comparison and installation procedure are highlighted. The important subjects around sensory technology and SHM are discussed based on the author's experience and recommendations are given. Applied research with empirical and experimental methods was carried out. A state-of-the art-review of SHM started the process but extensive literature studies were done continuously along the years in order to keep the knowledge up to date. Several SHM cases, both small and large scale, were carried out including sensor selection, installation planning, physical installation, data acquisition set-up, testing, monitoring, documentation and reporting. One case study also included modification and improvement of designed system and physical repair of sensors as well as two Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) and the novel crack detection system testing. Temporary measuring and testing also took place and numerous Structural Health Monitoring Systems (SHMSs) were designed for new bridges. The observed and measured data/phenomena were documented and analysed.  Engineers, researchers and owners of structures are given an essential implement in managing and maintaining structures. Long-term effects like shrinkage and creep in pre-stressed segmental build bridges were studied. Many studies show that existing model codes are not so good to predict these long-term effects. The results gained from the research study with New Årsta Railway Bridge are biased be the fact that our structure is indeed special. Anyhow, the results can be compared to other similar structures and adequately used for the maintenance planning for the case study. A long-term effect like fatigue in steel structures is a serious issue that may lead to structural collapse. Novel crack detection and localisation system, based on development on crack identification algorithm implemented in DiTeSt system and SMARTape delamination mechanism, was developed, tested and implemented. Additionally, new methods and procedures in installing, testing, modifying and improving the installed system were developed. There are no common procedures how to present the existing FOS techniques. It is difficult for an inexperienced person to judge and compare different systems. Experience gained when working with Fibre Optic Sensors (FOS) is collected and presented. The purpose is, firstly to give advice when judging different systems and secondly, to promote for more standardised way to present technical requirements. Furthermore, there is need to regulate the vocabulary in the field. Finally, the general accumulated experience is gathered. It is essential to understand the complexity of the subject in order to make use of it. General trends and development are compared for different applications. As the area of research is wide, some chosen, specific issues are analysed on a more detailed level. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are given, both specific and more general. SHMS for a complex structure requires numerous parameters to be measured. Combination of several techniques will enable all required measurements to be taken. In addition, experienced specialists need to work in collaboration with structural engineers in order to provide high-quality systems that complete the technical requirement. Smaller amount of sensors with proper data analysis is better than a complicated system with numerous sensors but with poor analysis. Basic education and continuous update for people working with emerging technologies are also obligatory. A lot of capital can be saved if more straightforward communication and international collaboration are established: not only the advances but also the experienced problems and malfunctions need to be highlighted and discussed in order not to be repeated. Quality assurance issues need to be optimized in order to provide high quality SHMSs. Nevertheless, our structures are aging and we can be sure that the future for sensory technologies and SHM is promising. The final conclusion is that an expert in SHM field needs wide education, understanding, experience, practical sense, curiosity and preferably investigational mind in order to solve the problems that are faced out when working with emerging technologies in the real world applications.  The human factor, to be able to bind good relationship with workmanship cannot be neglected either. There is also need to be constantly updated as the field itself is in continuous development. / QC 20111117 / SHMS of the New Årsta Railway Bridge

Sensors have become essential elements in human life for safe and comfortable existence in the ever demanding world. Various technologies over decades have contributed in their own way fulfilling innumerable sensing requirements. The discovery of optical sensor technologies has revolutionized the sensing field due to their inherent advantages. Among the large number of fiber optic sensor technologies, FBG based sensors have become widely known and popular within and outside the photonics community and has seen a prominent rise in their utilization. This thesis explores the use of FBG sensors for a wide range of applications scanning across a variety of engineering and medical applications, in the areas of civil engineering, biomechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, geoengineering, etc. It also deals with newer methods of packaging FBG sensors for the measurement of specific engineering parameters like strain, temperature, pressure, displacement and vibration. In the field of civil engineering, FBG sensors are employed for strain sensing on a prism and furthermore tested on a full size brick wallet. During this study, emphasis is made on substituting traditional sensors by specially packaged FBG sensors with the intent of either enhancing the sensing system’s performance or in merging/uniting the inherent advantages of FBG sensors. In the area of biomechanics, a novel sensor methodology using FBG sensors, for measuring surface strains generated on the skin of the calf muscle during various leg exercises is proposed. This methodology is used to address one of the most critical and life threatening issues in long distance air travel, namely the Deep Vein Thrombosis. Further, a FBG sensor based plantar sensing plate, is designed and developed, to measure plantar strain distribution in foot and also to analyze the postural stability. In the field of aerospace engineering, FBG sensors are used for addressing two of the most vital issues; Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and direct measurement of pressure and temperature on the surface of an aircraft under hypersonic wind flow. Carbon Fiber Composite coupon level testing is carried out to obtain a generic strain calibration factor for the FBG sensor. Further, FBG sensors are exploited for the direct measurement of absolute temperature and pressure on the leeward surface of blunt cone at hypersonic wind speeds. In the domain of geoengineering, the feasibility studies have been undertaken to use a FBG as a seismic sensor and as a bore-well characterizing sensor. A novel FBG seismic sensor package is developed using a single FBG sensor to pick up the seismic waves propagating through the ground generated from earthquakes and ground tremors. Further, FBG sensors are used for measurement of temperature profiles in a bore-well to delineate and characterize the behavior of fractures during seasonal climatic changes. To summarize, the present thesis demonstrates a comprehensive experimental study which bring out the utility of FBG sensors in a variety of challenging applications.

This thesis deals with the influence microbending the transmitted signal at the bare optical fiber. Microbending influence on the transmitted signal is investigated in this work by changing the weight, power and water level in the tank by using this test fixture. The results of the experiments are proposed to enter the laboratory tasks to measure the impact microbending the transmitted signal in the subject line fiber-optic sensors (MOES).

Aufgrund der Altersstruktur der Brücken in Deutschland und des überproportional steigenden Schwerlastverkehrs werden umfängliche Erhaltungsmaßnahmen zur Aufrechterhaltung des Infrastrukturnetzes erforderlich. Zur Dynamisierung der Erhaltungsstrategie werden vermehrt kontinuierliche Bauwerksmessungen zur Überwachung und Beurteilung des Bauwerkszustands eingesetzt. Weiterentwicklungen in der Leistungsfähigkeit hochauflösender faseroptischer Sensoren bieten neue messtechnische Möglichkeiten für die großflächige (permanente) Bauwerksüberwachung. Der Beitrag beleuchtet die Potentiale hochauflösender faseroptischer Sensoren zur Zustandsüberwachung von Bestandsbrücken. In einem Pilotprojekt an einer spannungsrisskorrosionsgefährdeten Spannbetonbrücke wurden bzw. werden derzeit faseroptische Sensoren für eine permanente Überwachung installiert und sukzessive in Betrieb genommen. Die Einsatzmöglichkeiten als Dauermonitoringsystem werden anhand der bisherigen Erfahrungen und Ergebnisse demonstriert.

Aufgrund der Möglichkeit, kontinuierlich Dehnungen messen zu können, bieten verteilte faseroptische Sensoren (DFOS) sowohl im Neubau als auch im Bestand enormes Potential im Bereich des Bauwerksmonitorings. Im Beitrag werden Belastungsversuche an einem alten Brückenträger des Typs BT 500 N bis an den Grenzzustand der Tragfähigkeit vorgestellt. Die mittels DFOS gemessenen Bauteildehnungen und ermittelten Rissbreiten werden mit einer photogrammetrischen Messung (DIC) verglichen. Die Potentiale beider Messtechniken werden bei kleinen und großen Dehnungsniveaus gegenübergestellt. Aufgrund der erreichbaren Messlänge von bis zu 100 m und der hohen Ortsauflösung erweisen sich DFOS als prädestiniert für das Monitoring von Bauwerken. Existierende Herausforderungen im Bereich großer Dehnungen und Rissbreiten werden diskutiert.

Beneath North America's roads lie 1.6 million miles of pipeline that provides users with potable water and carry away wastewater. These buried infrastructure systems have been functioning for duration longer than their intended design life, often with little or no repair. Asset management of pipeline systems pose a major challenge for most municipalities due to budgetary constraints, demand for quality service, and need to preserve existing pipeline infrastructure. The first step in developing and implementing a comprehensive asset management plan is to perform a condition assessment. There is a gamut of inspection and monitoring technologies available to enable the condition assessment of pipelines. All of these have advantages and limitations, which determine the performance quality and effectiveness of an individual technology for particular utility assets. Unfortunately, utilities choose technologies not suitable for their specific assets and collect data that is not useful for understanding the condition of their system. The objective of this thesis is to develop a framework for the effective selection of condition assessment technologies for water and wastewater utilities. A Microsoft-Excel based framework is developed to help the utility managers in selecting condition assessment technologies for their water and wastewater pipeline assets. The recommended tool selection approach uses a multi-step exclusion protocol in which the tools are excluded on the basis of their applicability relating to technical feasibility and technical suitability for a particular situation. Usable tools are then compared against a performance and cost database to determine performance and cost in a given project/ utility condition. This thesis provides a brief description and review of 24 non-destructive commercialized condition assessment technologies, including the principal and implementation considerations. A framework for decision system tool was developed to facilitate utilities in selecting appropriate condition assessment technologies. This framework could facilitate the selection of usable technologies by excluding the options which are not technically feasible and suitable. The user can then further explore the usable tools and determine the most suitable technologies for their assets. The data considered in the research is provided by technology providers, thus it may lack complete understanding of the capabilities and limitations of technology. This thesis also presents a case study which highlights the existing gap between the understanding of capabilities and limitations of various technologies. A program is developed as a part of this thesis, Condition Assessment Selection Tool (CAST), which consists of performance and economic database, a graphical user interface to facilitate user input, and the results of the comparison of each usable technology in the database to the project information provided by the user for their assets. The results are presented as performance indices and economic indices indicating the performance and technology cost of usable technologies. A data reliability index was also developed to provide a scale for comparing the reliability of the existing data in the database. / Master of Science

To better manage deteriorating infrastructure, quantitative data about the performance of infrastructure assets is required. Rayleigh based distributed fibre optic strain sensing (FOS) is a technology that has the potential to offer this type of data and unlike traditional strain sensors it can measure the strain along the full length of the structure. A series of experiments were undertaken to develop installation techniques and evaluate sensor accuracy for typical civil engineering materials: steel, concrete and reinforced concrete. The results of these experiments showed that the choice of sensing fibre and adhesive was dependent on the material being monitored. When the sensing fibre and adhesive are chosen correctly, the Rayleigh system can provide the same accuracy as a strain gauge for steel and concrete, and useful measurements can be obtained even in areas of concrete cracking. The FOS technique was utilized to determine whether distributed strain measurements could be used to detect and quantify localized deterioration of the steel reinforcement (localized area reductions of 0-30%) at service loads. A series of specimens was tested, the sensing system was able to detect the presence of localized deterioration with embedded nylon and polyimide fibres, but the nylon fibre cannot quantify large strain gradients due to slip within the sensing fibre. The strain profiles gave insights to the failure mechanism occurring in the reinforced concrete specimens. The strain profiles for both test series indicated that the tension reinforcement was acting as a tension tie and the strain profiles suggested the presence of compressive struts indicative of an arching mechanism in the specimens. The Black River bridge in Madoc, Ontario was instrumented with fibre optics sensors to determine whether the use of FOS is both practical and beneficial for reinforced concrete bridge assessment when compared to conventional instrumentation. The FOS showed reasonably good agreement with conventional sensors. The fibre optic strain results are used to calculate curvature, slope and displacement but careful consideration of the boundary conditions is required. The results from the fibre optic sensors can be used to show the bridge load distribution and give insights into the support conditions of the beams. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-21 11:56:53.276

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is extensively used in a broad range of industrial and medical applications, such as aseptic processing of food and pharmaceuticals, disinfection, water treatment plants, and decontamination of industrial effluents. H2O2 is believed to be responsible for chemical degradation of polymer membranes in Polymer-Electrolyte-Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Therefore, a versatile H2O2 sensor that functions in different environments with different conditions is of practical importance in various fields. This dissertation presents the fabrication of a fiber-optic H2O2 sensing probe (optrode) and its H2O2 sensing behavior in different conditions. An H2O2 optrode is fabricated using chemical deposition of Prussian blue (PB) onto the tip of a multimode optical fiber. Sensing tests are performed in aqueous solutions at a constant pH and different concentrations of H2O2. Sensing features of the optrode (i.e. repeatability, durability, and reproducibility) are assessed by performing multiple sensing tests with several optrodes. The results show the prepared optrode is able to detect concentrations of H2O2 in aqueous solutions at a constant pH of 4 and the optrode features a repeatable and durable response at this condition. The functionality of optrodes at different pH values is further investigated by performing additional sensing experiments. These experiments are carried out in aqueous solutions with different concentrations of H2O2 at different pH values (i.e. pH 2-7). The sensor detects the presence of H2O2 at a range of pH values. Sensing behavior of optrodes toward detection and measurement of H2O2 concentrations is studied at the pH value corresponding to an operating PEM fuel cell (i.e. pH 2). The optrode is able to detect concentrations of H2O2 at this condition with a repeatable and durable response. The stability of PB films, prepared through different conditions, is investigated to address the stability of optrodes at elevated temperatures. PB films are first deposited onto the glass slides through three different chemical processes, and then at different synthesis temperatures. The PB films are left in Phosphate-Buffer-Solutions (PBS) with pH 2 and at elevated temperatures for a day. Finally, PB films are characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze their stability following PBS processing at operating temperatures and pH value corresponding to an operating PEM fuel cell (i.e. 80 °C and pH 2). The results of these experiments illustrate the PB films prepared through the single-source precursor (SSP) technique and at synthesis temperatures above 60 °C remain stable after the PBS processing. The proposed optrode shows reliable sensing behavior toward detection and measurement of H2O2 concentrations in aqueous solutions at different conditions. The prepared optrode has the potential for being developed and used in different industrial and medical fields, as well as an operating PEM fuel cell, to detect and measure H2O2 concentrations. / Graduate / 0794 / 0548 / 0485 / hakbarik@uvic.ca

Este trabalho visa o projeto, modelagem e fabricação de estruturas multicamadas baseadas em polímeros para aplicações como sensores ópticos integrados. A grande motivação para este trabalho está no fato de que estas estruturas, diferente da geometria Mach-Zehnder, dispensam o uso de litografia pois são completamente planares. Isto permite uma diminuição no custo de fabricação dos dispositivos além de permitir que estruturas mais curtas sejam utilizadas. Em se tratando de óptica integrada, as dimensões reduzidas da estrutura impõem severas penalidades no processo de lançamento de potência óptica na mesma. Por isso, será considerada neste estudo a utilização de prismas para o acoplamento de entrada do acoplador. Esta técnica, além de reduzir drasticamente os problemas de alinhamento decorrentes de acoplamento convencional do tipo \"End Fire\", permite uma transferência de potência óptica superior a 80% entre a fibra e o guia retangular. As variações na transferência de potência entre os guias de ondas da estrutura multicamada serão medidas através de um fotodetetor MSM integrado ao sensor. Este detetor, além de sua extrema facilidade de fabricação e baixos custos, torna o conjunto sensor mais robusto. Em se tratando de uma proposta de plataforma para sensores, serão também investigadas possíveis aplicações para esta estrutura, como por exemplo: refratômetro integrado, sensor de glicose, sensor de adulteração de combustível, etc. A análise das estruturas será efetuada por meio de técnicas de modelagem analíticas (Técnica da Matriz de Transferência - TMT e Teoria de Modos Acoplados - TMA), e numéricas (Método da Propagação de Feixe de Ângulo Largo formulado em Diferenças Finitas - WA-FD-BPM). Esta última permite que a estrutura do fotodetetor seja levada em consideração simultaneamente nas simulações. / This work concerns with design, modeling and fabrication of polymer based planar multilayer structures for integrated optic sensor applications. The motivation for this work is that planar multilayer structures, differently from the Mach-Zehnder geometry, do not require a lithographic process. As a consequence, significantly cheaper and shorter structures can be realized. The reduced dimensions of the structure, by its turn, pose a severe penalty in terms of optical power coupling. Therefore, this investigation will focus primarily on input (and output) prism coupling configuration. This technique, besides reducing the alignment requirements observed for conventional end-fire coupling, allows optical power coupling efficiency as high as 80% from fiber to rectangular waveguide. Any optical power transfer between the waveguides of the multilayer structure will be detected by an MSM photodetector integrated with the sensor. This low cost photodetector, besides improving the structure robustness, is quite ease to fabricate. Since the idea of this work is to develop a platform for integrated optic sensors, it will also be investigated possible applications for this structure, such as: integrated optic refractometer, glucose sensor and fuel adulteration sensor. The analysis of such structures will be carried out by means of analythical (Transfer Matrix Technique-TMT and Coupled Mode Theory-CMT) and numerical (Wide-Angle Finite Difference Beam Propagation Method-WA-FD-BPM) modeling techniques. The WA-FD-BPM technique allows one to simulate the multilayer waveguide and the MSM photodetector simultaneously.

Este trabalho visa o projeto, modelagem e fabricação de estruturas multicamadas baseadas em polímeros para aplicações como sensores ópticos integrados. A grande motivação para este trabalho está no fato de que estas estruturas, diferente da geometria Mach-Zehnder, dispensam o uso de litografia pois são completamente planares. Isto permite uma diminuição no custo de fabricação dos dispositivos além de permitir que estruturas mais curtas sejam utilizadas. Em se tratando de óptica integrada, as dimensões reduzidas da estrutura impõem severas penalidades no processo de lançamento de potência óptica na mesma. Por isso, será considerada neste estudo a utilização de prismas para o acoplamento de entrada do acoplador. Esta técnica, além de reduzir drasticamente os problemas de alinhamento decorrentes de acoplamento convencional do tipo \"End Fire\", permite uma transferência de potência óptica superior a 80% entre a fibra e o guia retangular. As variações na transferência de potência entre os guias de ondas da estrutura multicamada serão medidas através de um fotodetetor MSM integrado ao sensor. Este detetor, além de sua extrema facilidade de fabricação e baixos custos, torna o conjunto sensor mais robusto. Em se tratando de uma proposta de plataforma para sensores, serão também investigadas possíveis aplicações para esta estrutura, como por exemplo: refratômetro integrado, sensor de glicose, sensor de adulteração de combustível, etc. A análise das estruturas será efetuada por meio de técnicas de modelagem analíticas (Técnica da Matriz de Transferência - TMT e Teoria de Modos Acoplados - TMA), e numéricas (Método da Propagação de Feixe de Ângulo Largo formulado em Diferenças Finitas - WA-FD-BPM). Esta última permite que a estrutura do fotodetetor seja levada em consideração simultaneamente nas simulações. / This work concerns with design, modeling and fabrication of polymer based planar multilayer structures for integrated optic sensor applications. The motivation for this work is that planar multilayer structures, differently from the Mach-Zehnder geometry, do not require a lithographic process. As a consequence, significantly cheaper and shorter structures can be realized. The reduced dimensions of the structure, by its turn, pose a severe penalty in terms of optical power coupling. Therefore, this investigation will focus primarily on input (and output) prism coupling configuration. This technique, besides reducing the alignment requirements observed for conventional end-fire coupling, allows optical power coupling efficiency as high as 80% from fiber to rectangular waveguide. Any optical power transfer between the waveguides of the multilayer structure will be detected by an MSM photodetector integrated with the sensor. This low cost photodetector, besides improving the structure robustness, is quite ease to fabricate. Since the idea of this work is to develop a platform for integrated optic sensors, it will also be investigated possible applications for this structure, such as: integrated optic refractometer, glucose sensor and fuel adulteration sensor. The analysis of such structures will be carried out by means of analythical (Transfer Matrix Technique-TMT and Coupled Mode Theory-CMT) and numerical (Wide-Angle Finite Difference Beam Propagation Method-WA-FD-BPM) modeling techniques. The WA-FD-BPM technique allows one to simulate the multilayer waveguide and the MSM photodetector simultaneously.