MONICO

Fibre Optics-Based Intelligent MONItoring and Assessment System for Proactive Maintenance and Seismic Disaster Prevention in Reinforced COncrete Tunnel Linings

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Manny planned tunnels are in countries of high seismicity with several Km under densely populated areas requiring high safety standards. Structural sensing with remotely interrogated fibre optic deformation sensors has a large potential usage on extended structures such as tunnels where it can be the basis for condition assessment. For this, algorithms for structural health assessment of tunnels under operating and seismic loads need to be developed. New technologies are being developed continuously in the optical sensing area. It is important that existing and emerging fibre optics based deformation technologies be evaluated and optimised so that alone or in combination can provide optimal performance in the structural sensing of tunnels. The aim in MONICO is to provide the participating SMEs (in the fibre optic structural sensing field) with a package that will include an optimized fibre optics based deformation-sensing system for the real-time measurement of deformations of reinforced concrete linings in tunnels and a Decision-Support-System (DSS) for proactive maintenance and earthquake risk management that will assess the structural reliability of the monitored lining under operating and seismic loads. MONICO comprises development of: 1. An optimised fibre optics based deformation monitoring system with wireless communication capabilities that can monitor at seismic frequencies 2. Models that based on deformation measurements in ‘1’ will assess the local and global structural reliability of monitored tunnel cross sections under operating and seismic loads 3. A DSS with the above models and expert system technology 4. An integrated package of the DSS in ‘3’ and the system in ‘1’ The sensing system and seismic vulnerability model will be evaluated experimentally. With this package the SMEs will expand their market by offering additional products and services in the same and new countries and get financial benefits from the distribution of results to oth'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A high-tech sensor system installed on tunnel walls will help assess structural integrity of tunnels and encourage safer road transportation infrastructure.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Fibre optic sensor technologies show great promise in monitoring and assessing civil structures such as tunnels and also account for seismic stability and life cycle. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specialising in fibre optic structural sensing will have opportunities to enhance safety and increase competitiveness in the construction sector. The EU-funded project http://www.monico-eu.org (MONICO) worked on strengthening SMEs in the field.

MONICO developed and produced an advanced fibre optics sensing system for monitoring the structural condition and seismic loading of reinforced concrete in tunnels. The sensors are embedded in concrete for the life-cycle measurement of deformation and they wirelessly transmit crucial data on seismic disturbances. A sensor data processing module to filter out noise and false inputs was also produced for integration into the fibre optic system.

The project team also studied two different monitoring systems, namely a Bragg grating fibre optic-based monitoring system and a distributed fibre optics sensing system. It assessed the pros and cons of both to study how they can be exploited for the project purposes, either alone or in combination.

Development of the system also included different components such as interrogation unit and reliable wireless communication capability, both under normal conditions and during an earthquake. After intense testing, calibration and validation of the various parts, the system was completed and approved by the civil engineering partners.

Assessing the lifetime of civil structures will lead to improved environmental impact and cost effectiveness, making the new system an important tool in construction and engineering. Fibre optic sensors also represent one of the most promising market segments, increasing the competitiveness of the industry in the EU. Efforts have been made to exploit the project's results by identifying customers and positioning the technology in the market, bringing Europe one step closer to safer tunnels and structures.