Details:

Creators:
Rice, Jennifer A.
Corporate Creators:
University of Florida. Dept. of Civil and Coastal Engineering
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Costs Data Quality Evaluation Fiber Optics Instrumentation Optimization Sensors Strain Measurement Temperature Measurement Test Sections
Publication/ Report Number:
BDV31-977-04
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Florida
Corporate Publisher:
Florida. Dept. of Transportation
Abstract:
A 2.5-mile, concrete test road is planned for construction by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in

2016. To support the goals of the test road, a comprehensive instrumentation system is required to provide

reliable data over a long period. The unique challenges posed by the geographical location and configuration of

the test pavement require sensors that can employ long sensor cables without compromising data quality and

have limited susceptibility to damage from lightning strike. The research conducted for this report investigated

the availability and performance of traditional and emerging instrumentation approaches for the embedded

measurement of concrete strains and temperatures. Fiber optic sensors possess features that overcome the

specific challenges of the proposed test pavement and were chosen for experimental evaluation alongside the

copper-based sensors that have been routinely employed by the State Materials Office (SMO). The candidate

strain sensors were initially evaluated in a series of non-embedded tests to assess their measurement capabilities,

noise susceptibility, temperature sensitivity, and ease of installation and use. A small concrete test slab was then

constructed for longer-term evaluation of the various sensor types in conditions similar to those of the proposed

test road. The duration of the test slab experiments (several weeks) exposed the slab to environmentally-induced

loads and dynamic wheel loads imposed by a Heavy Vehicle Simulator. The resulting strain and temperature

measurements were analyzed to assess the accuracy, repeatability, and robustness of the sensors. The copper and

fiber optic strain sensors yielded similar measurement results; however, the fiber optic sensors provided a more

streamlined installation and setup process. The cost of the individual fiber optic sensors is higher than the copper

sensors; however, the fiber optic sensors require fewer data acquisition (DAQ) units. A hybrid instrumentation

plan (copper/fiber optic) is suggested to optimize instrumentation costs while ensuring the measurement needs

and data quality requirements of the test pavement are met.


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:91d36d4c7bd9b5a0b3637f0976bf9d4d49a208a25226fb1bccc4fb82be0d99d5
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/27247/dot_27247_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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