Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The same type of fibre optic cables that form the backbone of Canadas telecommunications network can be used in a different application to measure strain (the amount the cable is being stretched or compressed) at many thousands of locations along the length of the cable. Rapid advances over the past two years in dynamic distributed strain measurement technology now permit analysers that can measure strain to an accuracy of 7.5 microstrain every 100 mm over sensing lengths of 2 km, 550 times per second. This massive advance now provides a unique opportunity for scientists and engineers to exploit this technology to develop resilient linear infrastructure. This NSERC RTI proposal aims to enhance the discovery, innovation, and training capability of 3 world class laboratories at Queens University by supporting the purchase of a dynamic distributed fibre optic strain analyser urgently needed by their graduate student researchers to enhance the resiliency of Canadas pipeline networks, rail networks, and culverts against deterioration and geohazards: Pipelines: The ability to manage the risk to pipelines crossing areas of moving ground is severely limited by current technologies that only provide point measurements of strain. It is exceedingly difficult to predict exactly where and when individual landslide events will occur, and therefore where and when intervention is urgently needed. The requested long-range dynamic distributed strain analyser is urgently needed to develop the fundamental engineering science and innovative monitoring tools to increase the resilience of Canadas pipeline networks. Railways: Canadas rail network is subjected to stresses from extreme temperature variations and in areas of poor subgrade conditions under increasingly heavier and longer trains. The requested analyser is urgently needed to understand how these two major sources of stress affect the rate of asset degradation and to detect rail breaks that can lead to derailments and endanger public safety. Culverts: The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) provides no guidance for the assessment of culverts; in particular, how to assess a partially deteriorated culvert, and how the pavement contributes to the load capacity of the system. The requested analyser is urgently needed to develop the innovative monitoring tools required to assess how deterioration influences the structural stability of the culvert, and the magnitudes and patterns of vehicle loading that are safe. These applications will push forward our fundamental understanding of the mechanics of these complex linear infrastructure assets and will have tangible benefits for the Canadian economy in terms of the knowledge and products produced, the development of world-class expertise in the student trainees making them highly sought after by the consulting services industry, and for the management of geohazard risks in Canada.