Monitoring of Beams in an RC Building during a Load Test Using Distributed Sensors
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 33, Issue 1
Abstract
The understanding of the complex behavior of reinforced concrete elements in situ would be aided if distributed strain measurements were captured during load tests, potentially leading to more accurate assessments and load ratings, and optimized future designs. This research investigates the use of distributed fiber optic sensors (FOS) to monitor three beams in a newly constructed RC building during a load test. It is the first case where an FOS technique capable of monitoring distributed strains, distributed deflections, and crack widths simultaneously is implemented in the field. The FOS data captured inflection points, moment transfer at the supports, crack locations, and crack openings. The FOS also captured deflected shapes, enabling maximum deflections to be determined without prior knowledge of where they would occur. Lastly, the measured results from the load test were compared to design model predictions for each element.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, and Queen’s University for financially supporting this study. The authors also thank Bryce Howchin, Blair Pearen, Tanner Blom, and Matthieu Marleau of PCL Construction, as well as Adam Hoag and Rebecca Garratt for their help with this research. Finally, the authors are indebted to Cadillac Fairview for granting permission for this research to be performed on site.
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Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 33 • Issue 1 • February 2019
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 28, 2018
Accepted: Jul 30, 2018
Published online: Nov 22, 2018
Published in print: Feb 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Apr 22, 2019
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