ABSTRACT
For prestressed concrete (PC) structures, in order to secure the structural performance during the service period, it is required that the change of distribution of prestressing force along the whole length of prestressing cables is maintained within the range expected in the design. To evaluate the distribution of prestressing force directly, a new monitoring method by using the optical fiber sensor has been developed. This method is expected to facilitate the long-term maintenance of PC structures. In this study, experimental tests on the strand in which optical fiber sensor was embedded were conducted to verify the monitoring performance of the new method. As the results, it was verified that, in the PC member, the change of prestressing force distribution can be measured up to over yielding. In addition, it was suggested that the rupture of prestressing cable can be detected. Furthermore, the applicability of this method on actual structures was confirmed.
