Static and dynamic testing of bridges and highways using long-gage fiber Bragg grating based strain sensors

Fiber optic Bragg gratings packaged in long gage configurations are being used to measure static and dynamic strain in structures and structural models to monitor structural health and predict damage incurred from a seismic event. These long gage sensors are being used to experimentally verify analytical models of post-earthquake evaluation based on system identification analysis. This fiber optic deformation measurement system could play a significant role in monitoring/recording with a higher level of completeness the actual seismic response of structures and in non-destructive seismic damage assessment techniques based on dynamic signature analysis. This new sensor technology will enable field measurements of the response of real structures to real earthquakes with the same or higher level of detail/resolution as currently in structural testing under controlled laboratory conditions.