Dynamic monitoring and numerical modelling of communication towers with FBG based accelerometers

This study presents the dynamic monitoring of two telecommunication tall slender steel towers with an optical FBG accelerometer. Numerical simulation for both towers was used recurring to finite elements modelling in order to demonstrate the feasibility of using optical technology in this type of structural monitoring. The results show a good agreement between experimental and simulated data, demonstrating that the optical accelerometer can be a very useful tool in the monitoring of tall slender structures.

► Dynamic monitoring of two existing towers with an optical FBG accelerometer. ► Refined numerical simulation of the towers with FEM. ► Good agreement between experimental and simulated data. ► This accelerometer can be a powerful tool in the monitoring of slender structures.