Measurement of cable forces for automated monitoring of engineering structures using fiber optic sensors: A review

Fiber optic sensors represent an innovative technology for automated measurement of cable forces which are critical in construction and operation of many civil engineering structures. This paper reviews the fiber optic sensors that have been developed and applied to measure cable forces, including fiber Bragg grating, interferometer, and fully distributed sensors. The reviewed contents of each sensor technology include the sensing principle, sensor design, deployment on cables, data analytics, and sensing performance. The interactive behaviors between the sensor and the cable are discussed regarding the impacts on the measurement performance and mechanical properties of the cable, considering the sensor package and deployment methods. The performance and technology readiness levels of the different fiber optic sensors are compared. A guide is provided to select appropriate sensors for specific applications. This review is expected to promote further development and applications of fiber optic sensors for intelligent measurement of cable forces.