OPTIMIZATION OF FIBER-OPTICAL SENSORS DISTRIBUTION DURING STRUCTURAL MONITORING OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Abstract

The relevance of this research is driven by the need to improve the efficiency of structural health monitoring systems for reinforced concrete structures, where rational placement of fiber-optic sensors is critical. The aim of the study is to develop methodological recommendations for optimizing sensor layouts considering structural characteristics, load conditions, and operational factors. The paper reviews existing sensor placement approaches and presents numerical modeling of stress–strain behavior in reinforced concrete elements using ANSYS software. Based on the simulation results, stress concentration zones were identified as the most informative locations for sensor installation. Experimental studies on laboratory specimens confirmed that both sensor layout and attachment methods significantly influence measurement accuracy. In addition, layout optimization makes it possible to reduce the number of sensors without loss of monitoring effectiveness. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the development of an algorithm for selecting optimal installation points for fiber Bragg grating sensors, while the practical significance is demonstrated by its applicability to the design and modernization of monitoring systems for civil engineering structures.