IEEE Standard for Smart Infrastructure with Fiber Optic Sensors
Smart infrastructure applications have used distributed fiber optic sensors to monitor strain, vibration, and temperature. IEEE standards exist for Bragg grating sensors and distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) systems. The current standard activity will expand the monitoring capability to include overloading bridge capacity with heavy vehicles, as well as the impact of corrosion, crack formation, and growth in structural members. The purpose is to monitor structural health by changes in monitored parameters, including strain and vibration signature, and identify potential points of failure. While the impact of corrosion and cracked structures will be monitored, the scope of the activity does not include characterizing the fracture mechanics of crack formation or the chemistry associated with corrosion, which typically requires a laboratory environment. In addition, the standard activity will address how these sensing systems interface with both wired and wireless local area networks and powering remote sensing systems. As previously stated, monitored infrastructure includes bridges, tunnels, dams, buildings, rail lines, power lines, and pipelines.