Fiber optic sensors and MEMS

Rapid advances in sensing and data transmission techniques, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), fiber optic sensors (FOS), low power wireless networking and in computational performance give hopes for a new generation of inexpensive networks of small sensors, which can be distributed in civil structures and infrastructures to provide accurate, quantitative information on the structural state while in service. The reduction of costs of fiber optic sensors and optical interrogators now enables feasible sensing networks for continuous structural health monitoring. Using pre-posterior analysis and statistical decision making we design optimal sensor configuration and to predict the uncertainty that affects the assessment of structural condition even before the installation of the sensors themselves. The aim of the EU-funded MEMSCON project [hyperlink] is to develop MEMS-based sensors for structural health monitoring and to integrate them with a decision support system that uses the information from sensors to suggest decisions about proactive rehabilitation and rehabilitation after earthquake damage in reinforced concrete buildings.