Investigation of fiber Bragg grating strain sensor in dynamic tests of small-scale dam model

For the low strength of model material, it is difficult to test the deformation of the small-scale dam model during shaking table tests. Based on the principle friction, a type of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensor with enhanced strain sensitivity was developed to measure the strain of low-strength material. The principle of the small-scale FBG strain sensor and its characteristics of strain transferring were discussed using a calibration test. Dynamic strain and residual strain of dam model were measured using FBG strain sensors embedded in models and compared with data calculated by numerical analysis. The results demonstrate that this type of FBG strain sensor shows advantages of high sensitivity, ease for installation, and high reliability. FBG sensors adhere to model material completely. The strains measured from FBG sensors are agreed with the results calculated by numerical simulation. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.