This application relates to conditions monitoring of structures forming part of a transport network, e.g. structural health monitoring of structures, especially tunnels. The method involves performing distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) on at least one optical fibre (104) deployed so as to monitor the structure (206). The acoustic response to movement of traffic (205) on the network in the vicinity of the structure is detected and analysed to detect the acoustic response (303, 304) of the structure. The acoustic response of the structure is then analysed to detect any change in condition. The method thus uses the normal movement of traffic on the network, e.g. trains on a rail network, to acoustic excite the structure and detects the resultant response. The method is particularly useful for condition monitoring of tunnels on a rail network.
Monitoring transport network infrastructure
2016-10-13
Patent
Electronic Resource
English