Application of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensing Technology - Application of FBG Sensor - Application of FBG-Application of FBG Demodulator - Application of FBG Sensing in Industry
FBG Sensing Technology for SHM of Dams in the Hydropower Industry
The hydropower industry plays a vital role in meeting the world's energy demands. Dams are a crucial part of this industry, providing power generation, flood control, water supply, and irrigation. Ensuring the structural health of dams is essential for their safe and efficient operation. Fiber grating sensing technology has emerged as a promising solution for monitoring the structural health of dams. In this article, we will discuss the problems that fiber grating sensing technology can solve, and how Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd.(short for DCYS ) can support the structural health monitoring of dams in the hydropower industry.
Fiber Bragg Grating Sensing Principle：
Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are periodic structures that are inscribed in the core of an optical fiber. These structures reflect a specific wavelength of light that is determined by the periodicity of the grating. When the grating is subjected to mechanical or thermal strain, the reflected wavelength changes in a predictable manner. By monitoring the reflected wavelength, changes in strain, temperature, and other parameters can be detected. FBG sensors can be used to monitor a wide range of parameters, including strain, stress, temperature, and vibration.
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Common Structural Health Issues to Dams in the Hydropower Industry:
Dams are subjected to various forces such as water pressure, earthquakes, and temperature changes. Over time, these forces can cause damage to the dam's structure, resulting in cracks, deformations, and leaks. Structural health monitoring of dams is essential to detect any changes in the structure and prevent catastrophic failures.
Why SHM of Dams is Needed in the Hydropower Industry:
Structural health monitoring of dams is important for ensuring their long-term safety, stability, and performance. Dams are subject to a variety of internal and external factors that can cause damage, deterioration, or failure over time, including seepage, settlement, erosion, vibration, and temperature changes. These factors can affect the structural integrity of the dam and its ability to withstand hydraulic loads, leading to safety risks and operational issues. Structural health monitoring can help to detect early signs of damage or deterioration, and enable timely and effective maintenance, repair, or replacement.
Difficulties in SHM of Dams in the Hydropower Industry:
Structural health monitoring of dams presents some unique challenges and difficulties due to their complex and massive structures, harsh and remote environments, and safety and security concerns. Traditional monitoring methods such as visual inspections, manual measurements, and wired sensors are limited in their ability to provide continuous and accurate data over large areas and depths, and require frequent access to the site, which can be costly and risky. Moreover, conventional sensors can be affected by electromagnetic interference, corrosion, or physical damage, which can compromise their reliability and accuracy.
What Problems can be Solved by FBG Sensing Technology:
Fiber grating sensing technology offers a promising solution to the challenges of structural health monitoring of dams in the hydropower industry. Fiber gratings can be embedded or attached to the dam structure at critical locations to measure various parameters such as strain, temperature, pressure, and vibration, with high accuracy, stability, and durability. Fiber grating sensors can operate in harsh and remote environments, and can be configured in arrays to cover large areas and depths, enabling continuous and real-time monitoring of the dam's structural condition and performance. Fiber grating sensing technology can also reduce the need for manual inspections and measurements, and provide early warning of potential safety risks or operational issues, improving the overall safety, reliability, and efficiency of dam operations.
Recommended fiber grating strain sensors:
This product is a high-range fiber bragg grating strain sensor (FBG strain gauge) used for strain measurement. It can be used in a single-ended structure, where it is inserted into the object to be measured for strain measurement. It can also be used in a double-ended structure, where it is fixed with a fixture or bonded directly to the surface for strain measurement, enabling multi-point strain measurement when connected in series. The structure of this product is the same as that of fiber bragg grating stress sensors.
Product Overview:
The OFSCN® high-range fiber bragg grating strain sensor (FBG strain gauge) consists of fiber connectors (FC, SC, LC, ST, etc.), high elastic materials, and single-point FBG encapsulation. Depending on the materials used, it can work at room temperature or a maximum high temperature of 120 degrees Celsius (customizable upon request).
This product is characterized by its small size, light weight, high tensile and compressive strength, waterproof and moisture-proof properties, and full sealing. By utilizing the strain characteristics of FBG, this sensor can be inserted, welded, bonded, or adhered to the internal or surface of the test structure for strain detection and monitoring.
2500με Fiber Bragg Grating Strain Sensor - FBG Strain Gauge - Metal Encapsulation - High Temperature FBG Strain SensorThe product is a fiber Bragg grating strain sensor (FBG strain gauge) encapsulated in seamless steel tube, used for strain measurement. In most cases, it is a single-point single-ended structure, or it can be produced as a multi-point single-ended structure. In a few cases, it can also be a double-ended structure. The deployment method of the product depends on the supporting fixtures, which can be directly inserted into the test object, or installed by surface welding with corresponding fixtures, bolted with drilled holes for fixation, adhesive surface mounting, tied with straps for fixation, or fixed with clamps, among various installation methods. This product is a basic structural product, which can be calibrated as a FBG displacement sensor, or used as a FBG stress sensor.
Product Summary:
The OFSCN® Capillary Seamless Steel Tube Fiber Bragg Grating Strain Sensor (FBG strain gauge) is composed of fiber optic connectors (FC, SC, LC, ST, etc.), stainless steel seamless tubes, and single-point FBG encapsulation.
It can also be customized as a high-temperature resistant fiber Bragg grating strain sensor.
This product features a small size, lightweight, high tensile and compressive strength, waterproof, moisture-proof, and fully sealed characteristics. By utilizing the strain characteristics of the FBG, this sensor can be inserted, clamped, surface-mounted, glued, or embedded into the measured structure to perform strain detection and monitoring.
Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd.:
Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd.(short for DCYS) is a professional manufacturer of fiber grating sensors, fiber grating demodulators and system software. Specializing in the production of various fiber grating sensors, including temperature, strain, stress, displacement, vibration, shape sensors, etc. DCYS also produces fiber grating demodulators, and can customize and develop related application software.
Recommended fiber grating demodulator:
This product is produced by DCYS, and it is a high-speed high-frequency fiber Bragg grating demodulator(Interrogator). The fiber grating demodulator is compatible with various specifications and models of OFSCN® fiber bragg grating sensors (temperature, strain, stress FBG sensors, etc.). It features adjustable port density (4, 8, 12, 16 channels) and high-speed high-refresh rate capabilities.
DCYS Helps to do SHM of Dams:
DCYS's fiber grating demodulators and system software can process and analyze the sensor data in real-time, and generate reports and alarms for timely and effective decision-making. DCYS can help the hydropower industry to solve some of the challenges in the structural health monitoring of dam structures, and improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of hydropower operations.
Other Points Need to Be Clarified:
Structural health monitoring of dams is a critical task for ensuring the safety and performance of hydropower projects. Fiber grating sensing technology offers a promising solution to the challenges of structural health monitoring, with its high accuracy, stability, durability, and versatility. However, the implementation of fiber grating sensing technology requires careful planning, design, installation, and maintenance, and should be integrated with other monitoring methods and systems for comprehensive and reliable monitoring of dam structures. In addition, the data collected from fiber grating sensors should be properly analyzed, interpreted, and used for decision-making, and the privacy and security of the data should be ensured. With the cooperation and innovation of industry, academia, and government, fiber grating sensing technology can play an important role in the future.
In conclusion, fiber grating sensing technology has shown great potential in the structural health monitoring of dams in the hydropower industry. The ability to provide accurate and reliable data on temperature, strain, stress, and other structural parameters allows for early detection of potential issues and proactive maintenance, which can ultimately lead to increased safety and efficiency of dams in the hydropower industry. While there are certainly challenges associated with implementing fiber grating sensing technology in dam monitoring systems, the benefits of doing so are clear.
Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of fiber grating sensors, demodulators, and related software. With our expertise in the field, DCYS is well-positioned to provide solutions for the hydropower industry's structural health monitoring needs. By partnering with DCYS, the hydropower industry can leverage fiber grating sensing technology to improve the safety and reliability of their dam structures.
Overall, the application of fiber grating sensing technology in the hydropower industry represents an exciting development that has the potential to greatly benefit the industry and society as a whole.