(НТУУ «КПІ», 2011) Khotiaintsev, S.; Beltran-Hernandez, A.; Esparza-Villa, J. U.; Hernandez-Villeda, R.
We present a sensor system for monitoring the integrity of concrete structural elements such as beams and columns in buildings and other structures. The integrity sensors are arrays of conventional multimode telecommuni cations-grade optical fibers embedded in concrete elements. A sharp decrease in optical transmission indicates the breaking of the optical fiber, which is typically caused by a crack or destruction of the structural element. This sensor system successfully detected cracks in concrete beams under load. Due to its effectiveness and simplicity, it has many potential applications as cost-effective alternative to more precise but sophisticated and expensive systems for structural health monitoring.