Structural health monitoring of reinforced concrete beams by means of embedded fiber Bragg grating sensors

This study aims to investigate the mechanical behavior of FRCM composite-strengthened concrete beams using embedded FBG sensors. FBG sensors were installed both on the tensioned surface of the concrete beam and on the PBO mesh woven, that had been applied using cementitious mortar without any epoxy resin. Conventional strain gauges were used to compare results measured from the FBG sensors. Under three-point bending, a marked difference between strains measured in the concrete and those gotten on the reinforcement net was observed. A theoretical model is presented to explain the observed discrepancy.