Demonstration of a fibre-optic sensing technique for the measurement of moisture absorption in concrete

A fibre-optic-based humidity sensor has been developed and used for the measurement of moisture absorption in concrete. The sensor was fabricated using a fibre Bragg grating (FBG) coated with a moisture sensitive polymer. To investigate the use of this sensing technique for the detection of moisture ingress in concrete, the sensor was embedded in various concrete samples of different water to cement ratios which were then immersed in a water bath. A direct indication of the humidity level within a sample is given by the shift of the Bragg wavelength caused by the expansion of the humidity-sensitive material coated on the fibre. The sensor itself exploits the inherent characteristics of the FBG, with its operation being based on the strain effect induced in the Bragg grating, through the swelling of the polymer coating. It was found that optical-fibre-based humidity sensors of this type form a basis for determining the changes in the moisture content in different concrete samples, indicating potential new applications of the sensor system to ensure the integrity of civil engineering structures in which they are used.