Monitoring ground movement using fiber optic sensors

Abstract

Monitoring underground pore water pressure serve as an important aspect in geotechnical monitoring. The monitoring work is essential in order to access the underground soil condition. Although the conventional open standpipe method of monitoring pore water pressure is highly regarded in the industry, it comes with some disadvantages such as labour intensive, time consuming and prone to human error. This research aims to develop a new piezometer instrument, FBG-based piezometer by incorporating the fiber optic technology. The proposed new instrument allows real time monitoring which has the potential to replace the conventional piezometer. The new piezometer development started with a schematic design theory, fabrication and testing of the experimental prototype and eventually modification was done to improve the feasibility and workability of the product.

On the other hand, this report also includes the development of the FBG-based inclinometer in ground slope monitoring in its finalizing stage for site test in chapter 5, by continuing the effort of previous researchers from the same project. The report includes finalized design for mass production of proposed FBG-based inclinometer.