Smart Fiber Optic Sensor Technologies for Structural Health Monitoring

April 15, 2024 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST

Abstract

Civil infrastructure confronts numerous challenges, including the impacts of climate change and escalating human activities, compounded by the aging of infrastructure. The maintenance and rehabilitation of aging structures pose substantial financial burdens. To alleviate these challenges, infrastructure condition monitoring becomes crucial, as it can identify anomalies at early stages, preventing catastrophic consequences and enabling cost-effective rehabilitation efforts. Recent strides in machine learning-empowered fiber optic sensor technologies hold immense promise in enhancing the sustainability, resilience, and intelligence of infrastructure. This presentation aims to delve into the comprehension and recent advancements of fiber optic sensors, coupled with machine learning techniques, for the intelligent monitoring of various parameters such as strain, crack, displacement, temperature, and corrosion. These monitoring efforts extend to both normal and harsh environmental conditions. The presentation will cover the foundational knowledge of sensing principles and measurement methods, offering insights into how these technologies operate. Additionally, representative applications will be discussed, shedding light on real-world scenarios where the integration of fiber optic sensors and machine learning techniques can significantly contribute to the efficient monitoring and management of infrastructure.

About the Presenter

Dr. Yi Bao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering and the Founding Director of the Smart Infrastructure Laboratory at Stevens Institute of Technology. His research interests include innovative sensors, materials, structures, robots, and machine learning technologies, aimed at enhancing the sustainability, resilience, and intelligence of civil infrastructure. Prior to joining Stevens, he was a Postdoc at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and a Guest Researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He is an Associate Editor of ASCE's Journal of Bridge Engineering and Innovative Infrastructure Solutions and an Assistant Editor of Engineering Structures. He has authored more than 170 peer-reviewed journal papers, accumulating more than 5500 citations and a h-index of 44. His scholarly achievements have earned various accolades such as the 2022 Best Paper Award from the journal of Engineering Structures. His research on fiber optic sensors has garnered financial support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), NIST, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).