Performance analysis of distributed optical fiber bonding adhesives to concrete

Abstract

In this paper, the authors conducted an experiment where a reinforced concrete beam was in-strumented with a single DOFS performing four equal segments externally bonded to the bottom surface of the element. Each segment was adhered to the concrete using a different adhesive. This beam was then loaded, producing expected equal levels of tension in each of the fiber segments for a more direct comparison of the different adhesives performance. The experimental data is subsequently compared with the data provided through more conventional electrical strain gauges that were also deployed in the beam. The effect of alternat-ing the spatial resolution and sampling acquisition is also analyzed. The results provided here will shed a clearer light on how to proceed when applying this promising sensing technique to concrete structures, mainly on what the bonding materials and resolution are concerned.