Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Parker Brooks, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Parker Brooks
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Dan Su
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Abstract
The goal of this project is to optimize the existing optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR) method to facilitate dynamic structural health monitoring using Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors (DOFS) under field conditions. DOFS are gaining interest in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications, especially for large and irregular structures. These sensors offer a cost-effective solution that reveals temperature, strain, and vibration information from any point along the entire length of an optical fiber. However, one of the biggest challenges that hinder the wide implementation of DOFS is the dynamic monitoring capability under field conditions. Although several efforts have been made to improve the dynamic monitoring capability of DOFS using polarization-optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR), OTDR is limited to a spatial resolution of ~1m. The cost to improve the spatial resolution of OTDR is very high and limits its suitability for a large range of structural monitoring applications. On the other hand, optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR) technique offer high spatial resolution and easy setup for stationary measurements. If similar performance can be achieved under dynamic monitoring conditions, OFDR can be implemented in virtually any SHM application. To date, only preliminary studies have been performed under laboratory conditions to evaluate dynamic measurements using OFDR. Thus, this study aims at developing an optimized OFDR for dynamic monitoring using DOFS under field conditions. Advanced algorithms have been developed for spectral analysis along with new de-noising methods. A laboratory experimental program and field monitoring program were carried out to validate static and dynamic measurements with conventional sensors, respectively. The research related to OFDR-based dynamic monitoring is still in the early stages of development. Successful execution of this project gives ERAU a great advantage in our signature SHM field. Based on findings from this project, future research proposals will be submitted to the FDOT Structural Research Center, NCHRP Highway IDEA program, and the EPMD program of NSF.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
Optimization of Optical Frequency-domain Reflectometry for Dynamic Structural Health Monitoring using Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors
The goal of this project is to optimize the existing optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR) method to facilitate dynamic structural health monitoring using Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors (DOFS) under field conditions. DOFS are gaining interest in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications, especially for large and irregular structures. These sensors offer a cost-effective solution that reveals temperature, strain, and vibration information from any point along the entire length of an optical fiber. However, one of the biggest challenges that hinder the wide implementation of DOFS is the dynamic monitoring capability under field conditions. Although several efforts have been made to improve the dynamic monitoring capability of DOFS using polarization-optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR), OTDR is limited to a spatial resolution of ~1m. The cost to improve the spatial resolution of OTDR is very high and limits its suitability for a large range of structural monitoring applications. On the other hand, optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR) technique offer high spatial resolution and easy setup for stationary measurements. If similar performance can be achieved under dynamic monitoring conditions, OFDR can be implemented in virtually any SHM application. To date, only preliminary studies have been performed under laboratory conditions to evaluate dynamic measurements using OFDR. Thus, this study aims at developing an optimized OFDR for dynamic monitoring using DOFS under field conditions. Advanced algorithms have been developed for spectral analysis along with new de-noising methods. A laboratory experimental program and field monitoring program were carried out to validate static and dynamic measurements with conventional sensors, respectively. The research related to OFDR-based dynamic monitoring is still in the early stages of development. Successful execution of this project gives ERAU a great advantage in our signature SHM field. Based on findings from this project, future research proposals will be submitted to the FDOT Structural Research Center, NCHRP Highway IDEA program, and the EPMD program of NSF.