Distributed Brillouin sensor based on Brillouin scattering for structural health monitoring

We used the distributed Brillouin sensor (DBS) to monitor the structure changes in a steel pipe and a concrete/FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) column subjected to heavy loads. We have shown that the DBS is capable of providing strain distribution of both column and pipe under the various loads at structural and local level for the spatial resolution of 10-15 cm. The DBS can detect deformations, cracks and buckling before they became fatal to the structure. This demonstrates that it is a promising tool for structural health monitoring (SHM)