Novel Applications of Distributed

Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical

Engineering

Michael Iten

Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Geotechnik (IGT) der ETH Zürich

Band 239, November 2011

zur Publikation

vdf Hochschulverlag AG an der ETH Zürich

 ETH-Dissertation Nr. 19632
© 2012, vdf Hochschulverlag AG an der ETH Zürich

ISBN: 978-3-7281-3454-7

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aus: Michael Iten, Novel Applications of Distributed Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical Engineering, IGT 239 © vdf Hochschulverlag 2011
 Foreword
In the last two decades, Brillouin distributed fiber-optic sensing has became a
widely accepted, mature technology. Geotechnical monitoring applications of
this technology, however, are still rare, as the fragile fiber-optic cable and the
harsh soil environment are a difficult combination. Additionally, due to high
uncertainties in soil behavior, deeper understanding of geomechanical
principles is necessary in order to achieve meaningful results when using
these sensors.

Within this context, the thesis of Mr. Iten is timely for three reasons. On the
one hand, a number of novel geotechnical applications of distributed fiber-
optic sensing has been successfully identified, developed, implemented and
evaluated. On the other hand, the data obtained in these applications allowed
for the better understanding of the underlying geotechnical principles. Finally,
in order to enable fiber-optic sensing for the above applications, significant
developments in the fiber-optic technology, the sensors and the data
interpretation were made, facilitating a large number of potential further
applications.

The contribution of Mr. Iten is both important and welcome. Firstly, one-
dimensional structures were considered: strain distribution along a soil-
embedded cable during pullout and strain distribution along a monitoring
ground anchor during pullout. As a result, new insight into the progressive
failure phenomenon was achieved and explained in a conceptual analytical
model. Secondly, the successful implementation of the technology to one-
dimensional structures inspired an attempt to apply the sensors in two- and
three-dimensional problems, such as a road-embedded sensor for landslide
boundary evaluation; a soil-embedded sensor for landslide boundary
evaluation and a borehole-embedded sensor for landslide boundary
evaluation. As a result, new understanding of the landslide mechanisms in the
Brattas and Laret areas was achieved for the ongoing landslide research and
monitoring in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Finally, to facilitate fiber-optic sensing for
the above applications, significant advances in the technology, the sensors
and the data interpretation were achieved.

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aus: Michael Iten, Novel Applications of Distributed Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical Engineering, IGT 239 © vdf Hochschulverlag 2011
 The significance and quality of this work has been partially documented by
publications from Mr. Iten at seven international conferences of high
standards and one journal publication. Additionally, the level of innovation in
this study and its commercialization potential has been awarded in business
plan competitions by two Venture 2010 and two Venture Kick Prizes.

Prof. Dr. Alexander Puzrin

Zurich, 2. August, 2011

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aus: Michael Iten, Novel Applications of Distributed Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical Engineering, IGT 239 © vdf Hochschulverlag 2011
 Acknowledgments
A scientific work at the scale of this thesis is only possible through
collaboration with other people. I would therefore like to warmly thank
everybody who made this study a rewarding experience and without whom it
may not have culminated in the present publication.

Grateful thoughts are directed first to my thesis supervisor, Prof. Dr.

Alexander Puzrin, for giving me a vote of confidence and encouraging me to
pick such an interesting and prosperous research field. I also appreciated the
seriousness and critical eye with which he read and evaluated this study and
his very valuable inputs. In addition, I would like to thank Sasha for the great
working atmosphere created in his research group and, most importantly, the
extraordinary amount of support and continuous motivation provided during
the difficult times.

I am also thankful to the members of the examination board, Prof. Dr. Peter
Marti, Prof. Dr. Luc Thévenaz, and Prof. Dr. Alexander Puzrin for the careful
reading and comments, as well as for the courteous atmosphere created
during the doctoral examination.

Prof. Dr. Luc Thévenaz and the Group of Fiber Optics at EPF Lausanne
(Stella Foaleng Mafang and Jean-Charles Beugnot) significantly contributed to
the content of this study during many occasions: the joint laboratory
campaigns, the co-authored paper, the conferences, the COST TD 1001
action, and uncountable discussions on the topic. Thank you!

The interaction with the industry helped to give this research a focus on
practical applications right from the start. I would like to mention Solexperts
(Dr. Arno Thut, Daniel Naterop and Patrick Steiner), our CTI project partners
Brugg Cables (Thomas Hertig, Dr. Massimo Facchini, Alix Diserens and Beat
Öschger) and Omnisens (Dr. Marc Niklès and Dr. Fabien Ravet), the VSS
(Verein Schweizer Strassenfachleute), and the city of St. Moritz.

The support and working environment created by my friends and colleagues

at the Institute for Geotechnical Engineering and the ETH Zurich was

aus: Michael Iten, Novel Applications of Distributed Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical Engineering, IGT 239 © vdf Hochschulverlag 2011
 appreciated every single day. Thank you Dr. Carlo Rabaiotti, Dominik
Hauswirth, Andreas Schmid, Dr. Linard Cantieni, Esther Schilling, Ivo Sterba,
Dr. Markus Caprez, Ernst Bleiker, Cornelius Senn, Stefan Annen, Frank
Fischli, Pascal Minder, Markus Schwager, Rolf Zumsteg, Dr. Erich Saurer,
René Rohr, Marco Sperl, Alfred Ehrbar, Heinz Buschor, Adrian Zweidler,
Mengia Amberg, Dr. Michael Plötze, Dr. Jan Laue, Prof. Dr. Sarah Springman,
Dr. Sophie Messerklinger, Felix Wietlisbach, Dominik Werne, and Markus
Baumann. In addition, the interaction with the following experts significantly
contributed to the thesis and my personal development: John Dunnicliff, Dr.
Wolfgang Habel, Jeff Miller, Dr. Alexis Mendez, and Prof. Brian Culshaw. To
Dr. Matt Kropf a big thanks for the careful proofreading.

Last, but essentially first and foremost, I wholeheartedly thank my parents,

Hanni und René. I am deeply grateful for the invaluable and generous support
I have received from you during all these years and for encouraging and
supporting me devotedly in my decisions. My deepest thanks go to my wife,
Rachel, for embarking with me on this long and stimulating journey and for
always carrying me through. Obrigado!

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aus: Michael Iten, Novel Applications of Distributed Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical Engineering, IGT 239 © vdf Hochschulverlag 2011
 Abstract
In the last two decades, Brillouin distributed fiber-optic sensing has became a
widely accepted, mature technology. On the other hand, geotechnical
monitoring applications of this technology are still rare, as the fragile fiber-
optic and the harsh soil environment are a difficult combination. Additionally,
due to high uncertainties in soil behavior, deeper understanding of
geomechanical principles is necessary in order to achieve meaningful results
when using these sensors.

In this study, novel applications of distributed fiber-optic sensing in

geotechnical engineering were identified, developed, implemented and
evaluated. Firstly, one-dimensional structures were considered:

 Strain distribution along a soil-embedded cable during pullout;

 Strain distribution along a monitoring ground anchor during pullout.

As a result, new insight into the progressive failure phenomenon was

achieved by documenting the phenomenon of residual shear stress increase
with increasing pullout load. This phenomenon is explained in a conceptual
analytical model.

The successful implementation of the technology to one-dimensional

structures inspired an attempt to apply the sensors in two- and three-
dimensional problems:

 Road-embedded sensor for landslide boundary evaluation;

 Soil-embedded sensor for landslide boundary evaluation;

 Borehole-embedded sensor for landslide boundary evaluation.

For the ongoing landslide research and monitoring in St. Moritz, Switzerland,
new understanding of the landslide mechanisms in the Brattas and Laret
areas was achieved. The road-embedded sensor at the Brattas site detected
an additional shear zone, which was later confirmed by a water pipe breakage
that occurred at exactly the same location. The soil-embedded sensor at the

vii

aus: Michael Iten, Novel Applications of Distributed Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical Engineering, IGT 239 © vdf Hochschulverlag 2011
 Laret site confirmed seasonal patterns of the surface displacement in a
moving soil mass independently observed in inclinometer measurements.

To facilitate fiber-optic sensing for the above applications, significant

advances in the technology, the sensors and the data interpretation were
necessary:

 Spatial resolution of the Brillouin sensing technology had to be

improved significantly. This was achieved by facilitating and testing the
development of Brillouin Echo Distributed Sensing;

 Elaborate laboratory testing of the sensors and the sensing system led
to the development and improvement of new commercial strain sensing
cables. In addition, sensor integration techniques were developed and
successfully applied;

 Options of improving the data interpretation had to be evaluated and

applied.

The present study describes in detail the development and progress of these
novel geotechnical monitoring applications at the IGT of ETH Zurich during
the last 5 years.

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aus: Michael Iten, Novel Applications of Distributed Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical Engineering, IGT 239 © vdf Hochschulverlag 2011
 Zusammenfassung
In den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten hat sich die Brillouin-Sensorik, mit welcher
Dehnungen kontinuierlich entlang einer bis zu 30 km langen Glasfaser
gemessen werden können, zu einer ausgereiften Technologie entwickelt.
Geotechnische Überwachungsanwendungen dieser Technologie sind jedoch
noch selten: Die zerbrechliche Glasfaser und die harschen Bedingungen im
Baugrund stellen eine schwierige Kombination dar. Hinzu kommt, dass die
Unsicherheiten bezüglich des Baugrundverhaltens ein vertieftes geo-
mechanisches Verständnis voraussetzen, um aussagekräftige Resultate mit
diesen Sensoren zu erhalten.

In der vorliegenden Studie wurden neue Anwendungen der kontinuierlichen

Glasfasersensorik in der geotechnischen Überwachung erörtert, entwickelt,
eingebaut und evaluiert. In einem ersten Schritt wurden eindimensionale
Strukturen geprüft:

 Dehnungsverteilung entlang eines im Boden eingebauten Kabels

während dem Herausziehen;

 Dehnungsverteilung entlang eines Bodenankers während dem

Herausziehen.

Aus diesen Versuchen konnten neue Erkenntnisse bezüglich des

progressiven Versagens zwischen Boden und Struktur gewonnen werden: Die
Rest-Scherspannung hat sich mit zunehmender Ausziehkraft erhöht. Dieses
Phänomen, welches während den Versuchen gut dokumentiert wurde, wird
mittels eines konzeptuellen analytischen Modells hergeleitet und erklärt.

Die erfolgreiche Anwendung der Technologie in eindimensionalen Strukturen

motivierte dazu, die Sensoren auch für mehrdimensionale Fragestellungen
einzusetzen:

 Instrumentierte Strasse zur Evaluierung einer Rutschhanggrenze;

 Direkt im Baugrund eingebautes “Mikro-Anker”-Sensorsystem zum

Messen von Bodenverschiebungen;

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aus: Michael Iten, Novel Applications of Distributed Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical Engineering, IGT 239 © vdf Hochschulverlag 2011
  Instrumentiertes Bohrloch zur Evaluierung einer Rutschhang-
Gleitfläche.

Diese drei Anwendungen wurden auf den Kriechhängen Brattas und Laret in
St. Moritz, Schweiz, ausgeführt. Die Hänge rund um St. Moritz werden schon
seit Jahren konventionell überwacht. Aus den Projekten resultierten neue
Erkenntnisse bezüglich der Kriechhanggrenze. So wurde im Gebiet Brattas
eine zusätzliche Scherzone ermittelt. Ein Wasserrohrbruch bestätigte später
die Lage der Scherzone. Zusätzlich konnten mit dem im Boden eingebauten
System die saisonalen Bewegungsschwankungen erfasst werden.

Um die oben erwähnten Anwendungen zu ermöglichen, waren Fortschritte in

der Technologie, den Sensoren und der Dateninterpretation notwendig:

 Die längenverteilte Auflösung des Messsystems musste verbessert

werden. Dazu wurde die an der EPFL entwickelte Brillouin Echo
Distributed Sensing Technologie ein erstes Mal erfolgreich im
geotechnischen Labor eingesetzt;

 Ausführliche Versuche mit Sensoren und Sensorsystemen er-

möglichten die Entwicklung von neuen, verbesserten, kommerziellen
Sensorkabeln. Dabei wurde auch die Sensorintegration weiter
vorangetrieben;

 Optionen zur Dateninterpretation wurden evaluiert und angewandt.

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt im Detail die Entwicklung und den

Fortschritt mit neuen geotechnischen Anwendungen der kontinuierlichen
Glasfasersensorik am IGT (ETH Zürich) über die letzten 5 Jahre.

aus: Michael Iten, Novel Applications of Distributed Fiber-optic Sensing in Geotechnical Engineering, IGT 239 © vdf Hochschulverlag 2011