Coordinateurs du projet
Context
The BRAGGMETER project involves purchasing a small piece of equipment that will be used in the GeM laboratory, complementing the range of fiber optic measurement devices available to academics in the Nantes region (IFSTTAR, ICAM, and UN). This equipment will be installed in the GeM test hall, which is currently undergoing renovation, and should eventually be installed next to the climate chambers in order to monitor the structures that will be tested there. In any case, these devices are portable and can be used in other locations on site. To date, they are being used by local players in R&D for monitoring and SHM of MRE: Imaréco, Surffeol, OWT-SHMGrout, Omdyn 1 and 2, and Induscol.
Scientific breakthroughs and innovation
This device enables the investigation of fiber optic solutions for SHM of offshore structures. These solutions are particularly interesting in this application context because fiber optics have the advantage of being insensitive to the marine environment and insensitive to electromagnetic disturbances potentially produced by the environment (power cables, turbines, generators).
Expected technical and economic impact
From a technical standpoint, the measurement technology (device) is mature, but the integration of optical fibers (like many other sensors) into offshore structures is less so. This device therefore enables local stakeholders to test integrated monitoring solutions, either through academic institutions (SURFFEOL, OMDYN, OMDYN2) or through integrations proposed by measurement manufacturers. In the latter case, a WEAMEC partner can call on the University of Nantes to temporarily use the measuring device without having to purchase it in order to validate the technology proposed by their supplier.
Results
The measuring device was temporarily used on Imaréco instrumentation (two conferences and one article submitted).
The device is currently being used to qualify sensors purchased by the University of Nantes from manufacturers (temperature and deformation calibration). These calibrated sensors are currently being integrated into laboratory versions of a patented 3D “sentinel” sensor, which should ultimately enable the monitoring of concrete behavior in marine environments (measurement of the 3D deformation tensor).
Product patents
Measuring device used on prototypes of patents held by SATT Ouest Valorisation: 3D “sentinel” sensor patent for use on concrete structures at sea and curvature sensor patent. The device was used to calibrate the temperature of the fiber optic sensors used on the test specimens currently being produced.
Industrial benefits
As part of the OMDYN2 project, a fiber optics training day will be organized by the University of Nantes and the device will be used during a demonstration workshop to raise awareness among partners of the respective advantages and disadvantages of distributed and fiber optic measurements for monitoring power cables.