ABSTRACT

Distributed optical-fiber sensing (DOFS) offers an extra dimension for the monitoring and diagnosis of large structures: the use of a one-dimensional, passive, dielectric measurement medium, flexible enough to be installed, with minimum intrusion conveniently and (if necessary) retrospectively, on extended structures such as dams, bridges, oil wells, aircraft, spacecraft, industrial pressure vessels and boilers, power generation and chemical plants, and mining installations and equipment is attractive as a means for offering the measurement of, for example, temperature and strain distributions. It can offer both a continuous monitor for early detection of anomalous (perhaps potentially destructive) conditions so that corrective action may be taken and for improving the detailed understanding of behavior (especially under extreme conditions) for use in the next generation of design. The use of these techniques promises significant improvements in structural integrity over a broad range of industries.