Optical Fibre Pressure Sensors for Small Scale Studies of Groundwater Flow

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2011

Authors

Coelho, L (Author) Other; Freitas, N (Author) Other; Baptista, JM (Author) Other; Frazao, O (Author) FCUP; Santos, JL (Author) FCUP; Restivo, T (Author) FEUP; Marques, J (Author) Other

Conference proceedings International

Title: International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics

International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics

Braga, Portugal, 3 a 7 de Maio de 2011

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 0 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-X82

DOI: 10.1117/12.891913

Abstract (EN): The underground movement of water through soil and rock is an important phenomenon in Civil Engineering. Its study is made more appealing to students if small scale prototypes are used, where several layouts of soil and water in steady state/transient conditions can be studied in detail. A water tank prototype was built with a reflective optical fibre pressure sensor based on a GRIN lens and a mirror. The mirror is connected to an elastic membrane that is deformed when water pressure is applied and the lens is correctly aligned with the mirror and fixed. The distance between the mirror and the lens changes, so the reflective optical power changes as well and it is directly proportional to the water pressure inside the tank. The results obtained for water pressure up to 4 kPa for filling and emptying operations show that the sensor has a linear response for pressure changes between 1.7 kPa and 3.4 kPa with a slope of 181 mu W/kPa for filling and 191 mu W/kPa for emptying. It is also observed some hysteresis that may possibly be reduced by choosing another material for the membrane. Using this type of sensor head it is possible to monitor different pressure points in the small scale prototype using the standard OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) equipment.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific