Monitoring System Based on Optical Fiber Sensing Technology for Tunnel Structures and Other Infrastructure

Lifeline facilities, such as roads, railways, electric power, water supply and wastewater systems, natural gas, and telecommunications function because of the widespread presence of an enormous infrastructure which acts as a network. Unfortunately, these infrastructure elements are subject to degradation over time, reduced functionality, and loss of functionality as a result of factors such as a wide variety of installation environments, natural disasters, and nearby work. Therefore, it is necessary to perform appropriate inspections, repairs, and renovations to ensure safe and efficient maintenance and operation. Optical fiber sensing (OFS) technology has gained attention in recent years as a key technology for lifeline inspections and diagnostics because of its many advantages, including corrosion resistance, the fact that the sensors do not require a power supply, and the ability to obtain measurements over long distances. This paper introduces a variety of OFS technology methods, and discusses an actual system for monitoring changes in existing tunnels (e.g., communication tunnels), as well as the development of related sensors.