Atlanta, GA--Micron Optics, a provider of laser imaging and fiber-optic sensing equipment, announced successful installation of two of its fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based fiber-optic sensing systems in the world’s tallest television tower. The Canton Tower at Guangzhou, China has Micron Optics structural integrity monitoring systems integrated into the building control system, making this architectural landmark the world’s tallest smart structure.
The Canton Tower is a unique architectural statement implementing an advanced design which places higher strain ranges on the building structure. The installed Micron Optics interrogators and sensors provide high speed strain and temperature information that engineers require for long-term structural monitoring of the tower. High strain range, resistance to lightning and other electromagnetic interference, its reliability and low-cost-per-sensing point make the Micron Optics system uniquely well qualified for this application. The sensing system integration was performed by Hong Kong Polytechnic under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Hwa-Yaw Tam.
The building design incorporates 800 total sensors. Of these, 220 are FBG-based optical sensors with 140 incorporated into the tower body and 80 used on the antenna. The majority of the electrical sensors are used for in-construction monitoring while the optical sensors are used for long-term monitoring of the structure.
A technical paper on the optical sensing system installed on the Canton Tower in Guangzhou can be found at www.micronoptics.com/sensing_doc_library.php#civil. A live presentation and a discussion about this monitoring system will be given at OFC 2011, www.ofcnfoec.org/InvitedCategory6.aspx.
SOURCE: Micron Optics; www.micronoptics.com/press_releases.php?id=63
