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Updated: May 15, 2025
09:48
Fiber Optic Distributed Sensors for High-resolution Temperature Field Mapping
Published on: November 7, 2016
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Utilizing 3D Printing and Distributed Optic Fiber to Achieve Temperature-Sensitive Concrete.
Qiuju Zhang1, Yujia Li1, Yuefan Huang1
1College of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 14, 2025
Summary
A new smart concrete system integrates optical fibers with 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) for precise internal temperature monitoring. This innovation offers real-time data to prevent temperature-induced cracks in concrete structures.
Area of Science:
- Civil Engineering
- Materials Science
- Smart Materials
Background:
- Temperature-induced cracks in mass concrete are widespread and difficult to detect precisely.
- Existing methods lack real-time monitoring of internal concrete temperatures during early curing.
- Accurate temperature data is crucial for preventing structural damage and ensuring durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an intelligent, precise, and efficient monitoring system for concrete structures.
- To integrate distributed optical fibers with 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) for real-time temperature sensing.
- To analyze the temporal evolution of internal temperature fields in 3DPC.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel temperature-sensitive concrete system by integrating distributed optical fibers with 3DPC.
- Conducted experimental testing on cubic 3D-printed fiber-reinforced concrete specimens.
- Performed numerical simulations to analyze internal temperature field evolution.
- Utilized distributed temperature sensing (DTS) for temperature measurement.
Main Results:
- The DTS system showed high consistency with environmental temperature during calibration (±1 °C).
- Numerical simulation results closely matched experimental data (within 5% discrepancy).
- Demonstrated the feasibility of 3D printing for imparting temperature sensitivity to concrete.
Conclusions:
- The integrated 3DPC and optical fiber system effectively enables real-time internal temperature monitoring.
- This approach provides a promising solution for smart concrete technology and structural health monitoring.
- The technology has significant potential for practical applications in civil engineering projects.
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