Performance Evaluation of Fixed-Point DFOS Cables for Structural Monitoring of Reinforced Concrete Elements
Buranbayeva A. Sarsembayeva A. Tee B.P. Zhumadilov I. Orazbekova G.
December 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Infrastructures
2025#10Issue 12
Distributed fiber-optic sensing (DFOS) with intentionally spaced mechanical fixity points was experimentally evaluated for the structural health monitoring (SHM) of reinforced concrete (RC) members. A full-scale four-point bending test was conducted on a 12 m RC beam (400 × 400 mm) instrumented with a single-mode DFOS cable incorporating internal anchors at 2 m intervals and bonded externally with structural epoxy. Brillouin time-domain analysis (BOTDA) provided distributed strain measurements at approximately 0.5 m spatial resolution, with all cables calibrated to ±15,000 µε. Under stepwise monotonic loading, the system captured smooth, repeatable strain baselines and clearly resolved localized tensile peaks associated with crack initiation and propagation. Long-gauge averages exhibited a near-linear load–strain response (R2 ≈ 0.99) consistent with discrete foil and vibrating-wire strain gauges. Even after cracking, the DFOS signal remained continuous, while some discrete sensors showed saturation or scatter. Temperature compensation via a parallel fiber ensured thermally stable interpretation during load holds. The fixed-point configuration mitigated local debonding effects and yielded unbiased long-gauge strain data suitable for assessing serviceability and differential settlement. Overall, the results confirm the suitability of fixed-point DFOS as a durable, SHM-ready sensing approach for RC foundation elements and as a dense data source for emerging digital-twin frameworks.
crack detection , distributed fiber-optic sensing , fixed-point architecture , reinforced concrete , structural health monitoring
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Department of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Shakarim University, Semey, 071412, Kazakhstan
Smart Sensing Technology Sdn Bhd, Shah Alam, 40150, Malaysia
Department of Civil Engineering and Geodesy
Smart Sensing Technology Sdn Bhd
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