Open Access
ARTICLE
Fiber Grating-Based Strain Sensor Array for Health Monitoring of Pipelines
Hui Wang1, Songyou Li2, Lei Liang3,*, Gang Xu4,5, Bin Tu6
1 National Engineering Laboratory for Fiber Optic Sensing Technology and College of Information Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
2 Guiyang Bureau, CSG EHV Power Transmission Company, Guiyang, 550000, China
3 National Engineering Laboratory for Fiber Optic Sensing Technology, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
4 National Engineering Laboratory of Fiber Sensing Technology, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
5 School of Mechanical Engineering, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan, 432000, China
6 Wuhan University of Technology Advanced Engineering Technology Research Institute of Zhongshan City, Zhongshan, 528437, China
* Corresponding Author: Lei Liang. Email:
Structural Durability & Health Monitoring 2019, 13(4), 347-359. https://doi.org/10.32604/sdhm.2019.05139
Abstract
Pipelines are one of the most important modern energy transportation
methods, used especially for the transportation of certain dangerous energy media
materials such as crude oil, natural gas, and chemical raw materials. New requirements
have been put forward for the health monitoring and early security warning
of pipelines because of the large-scale and complicated development trend of the
pipe network system. To achieve an accurate assessment of the health conditions
of pipeline infrastructure, obtaining as many precise operating parameters as possible,
particularly at some critical parts of the pipeline, is necessary. Therefore, a
novel type of fiber grating strain sensor array is proposed herein to monitor the
pipeline hoop strain. The sensor utilizes fiber grating characteristics such as light
weight, corrosion resistance, remote transmission, and strong environmental
adaptability. The fiber containing the grating measurement points is implanted
into the composite material to complete the sensitization encapsulation and protection
of the bare fiber grating. The design of the sensor array fulfills the requirements
for monitoring pipeline mass data, making it easy to form a pipeline health
monitoring sensor network. The sensor sensitivity is researched by using a combination
of theoretical and experimental analysis. A sensitivity test, as well as linearity
and stability tests, are performed on the sensor. The experimental results
show that the average sensitivity of the sensor is 14.86 pm/με, and the error from
the theoretical calculation analysis value is 8.75%. Due to its high reliability, good
linear response and long-term stability, and the ability to reflect the exact strain
change of the outer wall of the pipeline, the designed sensor can support longterm
online pipeline monitoring. The fiber grating sensor array network has successfully
realized the monitoring of the pipeline’s internal operation by using
external strain changes. In addition to the performance benefits, there are other
merits associated with the applicability of the sensor namely simple structure,
compact size, manufacturing ease, and exterior installation ease.
Keywords
Cite This Article
Wang, H., Li, S., Liang, L., Xu, G., Tu, B. (2019). Fiber Grating-Based Strain Sensor Array for Health Monitoring of Pipelines.
Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, 13(4), 347–359. https://doi.org/10.32604/sdhm.2019.05139