A fiber optics enriched Digital Twin for assessment of reinforced concrete structures

This paper presents the results of SensIT, an ongoing research initiative at Chalmers University of Technology aimed at developing a digital twin concept to improve the asset management strategies of reinforced concrete infrastructure. The developed concept relies on data collected from distributed optical fiber sensors (DOFS), which are then analysed to extract relevant features, such as deflections and crack widths, that can be used as indicators of the structural performance. Thereafter, intuitive contour plots are generated to deliver critical information about the element’s structural condition in a clear and straightforward manner. Last, both raw and analysed data are integrated into a collaborative web application where information can be readily accessed, and results can be visualized directly onto a 3D model of the element. The concept has been tested on a large-scale reinforced concrete beam subjected to flexural loading in laboratory conditions.

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