Structural health monitoring of tunnels

Tunnel monitoring over long distances to prevent cracks in tunnel lining

Tunnels play a significant role in the movement of people, goods, and services. Therefore their carrying capacity, integrity, stability, and durability are most important in not endangering public transport and traffic safety. With our latest optical fiber technology, it is possible to continuously monitor the tunnel’s structural health and deformation trends, such as lining cracking, dislocation, falling blocks, etc. in real time 24/7.

remote monitoring of tunnel’s mechanical behavior under environmental effects and traffic loads
assessment and prediction of tunnel’s health condition
online and real-time information about the tunnel

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During the construction and operation, tunnels are affected by various factors, such as geology, design and climate conditions. In addition, tunnel materials themselves become old, and maintenance is not always timely. In use, defects, such as tunnel lining cracking, dislocation, falling blocks, etc. can occur, and these can endanger traffic safety and even force the closure of traffic. In these cases, the structural health monitoring systems for industrial inspection find their uses.

The primary function of the tunnel’s structural health monitoring is to ensure its safety and to plan, predict and optimize maintenance activities. It provides valuable information regarding imminent tunnel collapse, thus, allowing for the fastest tunnel construction speed making it possible to control the tunnel stability by providing proper countermeasures.

Quantifying tunnel performance requires a distributed network of FBG structural health monitoring sensors. In combination with appropriate topologies and networks, they can provide the necessary information for assessing a wide range of parameters relevant to the tunnel’s structural behavior. Such a system enables data-driven decisions resulting in significant operational expense savings and increased tunnel safety.

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology

FBG technology brings many advantages over the conventional sensing methods, such as immunity to EMI/RFI, high precision, durability, quasi-distribution and absolute measurement, compact size, reduced cable requirement, etc.

Early warning in case of events

The tunnel monitoring system is equipped with direct alarm relays for immediate notifications to be sent via email or other communication interfaces in case of sizeable and unusual events.

Multifunctional measuring platform

Several structural health monitoring sensors with different functions can be connected in series on a single fiber without signals being confused and with the necessary cable length being considerably smaller.

Service and maintenance planning

We will help you optimize your service and maintenance planning based on your specific needs to ensure efficient operation.

Prevention of catastrophic tunnel failures

Thanks to the structural health monitoring of tunnels, you’ll be able to take appropriate action in advance and thus minimize potential damages and losses.

Predicting structural deformation trend

By analyzing the measured data, tunnel structural deformation trends can be predicted and the level of the tunnel structure safety can be evaluated to provide key technical parameters and timely warning.

Use of existing fiber optic network

Installation of an expensive tunnel sensor infrastructure or availability of electrical power is not necessary, which is very economical even for large areas of monitored objects.

Reporting and data analysis

Our solution for tunnel monitoring provides all necessary reporting and data analysis features. The available level of service is in accordance with SLA.

Customized solutions and adjustments

The structural health monitoring system can be modified to meet your project’s needs, such as the desired functionality, interoperability, and others.

System management and data acquisition via the Internet

You will be able to manage the tunnel monitoring solution via a user-friendly web interface, which also provides all necessary information about the structure and reporting and data analysis features in accordance with your SLA.

Measuring over long distances

The distance between the unit and tunnel sensors can be up to several tens of kilometers. Therefore you can cover a large area with one unit and lots of structural health monitoring sensors, and measure without additional equipment and without power connections to all monitored locations.

No calibration or determining of new zero

The wavelength reflected by each FBG is modulated by the measured quantity, for example strain. The system measures this reflected wavelength which is an absolute parameter. Hence you can turn off or replace the instrument without having to recalibrate it or reset the zero level.

Have a look at real life application

How can we help you?

Are you considering our products and solutions, need to consult about your project with us, or would you like to establish long-term cooperation with us? Contact us. We’ll do our best to answer any questions you might have within 24 hours.

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