Title: Assessment of fibre optic strain gauges for field use in India

Authors: Richard H. Scott; Pradipta Banerji; Sanjay Chikermane; Frederic Surre; Tong Sun; Kenneth T.V. Grattan

Addresses: School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, City University London, C/O Room C148, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK ' Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India ' School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, City University London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK ' School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, City University London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK ' School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, City University London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK

Abstract: The commissioning and evaluation of a fibre optic strain sensor system for the structural health monitoring of a pre-stressed concrete post-tensioned box girder railway bridge in operational use in Mumbai, India, is described. Preliminary laboratory trials to identify the most appropriate sensor system are detailed followed by a description of the load tests on the actual bridges which were undertaken in collaboration with Indian railways. Results from the load tests using the optical system are compared with similar results obtained using electrical resistance strain gauges. Conclusions are drawn concerning the integrity of the structure and for the future use of the sensor system for monitoring bridges of this type. Crack width measurements obtained during the load tests are also summarised.

Keywords: fibre optic strain sensors; load tests; railway bridges; structural health monitoring; SHM; India; pre-stressed concrete bridges; post-tensioned bridges; box girder bridges; structural integrity; crack width measurements.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMSS.2015.078368

International Journal of Sustainable Materials and Structural Systems, 2015 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.96 - 112

Received: 24 Feb 2015
Accepted: 17 Mar 2016

Published online: 15 Aug 2016 *

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