Corrosion monitoring systems for structures in extreme marine environments
Lead Research Organisation:
City, University of London
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Mathematical Sci
Abstract
Structures in the marine context are exposed to an extremely aggressive environment. Serious risks arise to marine structures through a combination of chemical, biological, and physical actions, which may result in significant costs of ownership and use. These are not just at the level of millions of pounds annually for repair, rehabilitation, and replacement, but also for 'cleaning-up' the contamination that would inevitably arise from failure. Seawater contains a wide variety of dissolved inorganic material, of which the chloride ion in particular significantly influences the corrosion of marine structures. In the atmospheric exposure zone, air-borne chlorides are major factors responsible for the corrosion of the concrete structures. In the splash zone, chlorides, waves and tides make a major impact on the degree of corrosion experienced through both chemical and direct velocity effects from ocean currents. Wave loading on structures can be highly destructive, particularly during storms, combining as it does with loading from extreme wave action and high winds. In the tidal zone, chlorides and the growth of bio-organisms together play an important role in promoting the progression of corrosion effects as, for example, organisms can grow on the surface of concrete, and this may lead to microbial disintegration of concrete itself. In the submerged area in addition to chlorides, the physical characteristics of the seafloor sediments can affect the deterioration of concrete; for example, the grain size and packing factors of the sediments affect diffusion through the sediments which has a major impact on the availability of oxygen and other corrosive agents. Given these complex effects of the ocean discussed above, and the important effect on the resultant corrosion of marine structures, advanced research, suitably prioritised, for more effective corrosion monitoring and better control is required to safeguard the integrity of the structures and their components which are exposed to such an extreme environment. Therefore, an accurate assessment of the corrosion conditions at different stages is of vital importance both for the proper selection of longer life materials, durable and anti-corrosion coatings, and for effective corrosion control, and forms an important backdrop for the study in this novel research project. To tackle this vitally important area, this application has been developed collaboratively by two academic groups, which are active in complementary aspects of the field, working together to create new solutions to recognised problems in this extreme environment. The applicants consider that this can be done most effectively through enhanced monitoring systems being created to make better and longer term use of current infrastructure and resources and thus to extend the life of structures.
Organisations
- City, University of London (Lead Research Organisation)
- Sydney Water (Collaboration)
- Building Research Establishment (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Amphora Non-Destructive Testing Ltd (Collaboration)
- Government of Canada (Collaboration)
- Industrial Microwave Systems Ltd (Collaboration)
- Arup Group (Collaboration)
- Amphora NDT (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Ove Arup Ltd (Project Partner)
- National Energy Board (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Tong Sun (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Abi Kaed Bey S
(2008)
Chloride ion optical sensing using a long period grating pair
in Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
Alwis L
(2013)
Optical fibre-based sensor technology for humidity and moisture measurement: Review of recent progress
in Measurement
Alwis L
(2016)
Fibre Grating-based Sensor Design for Humidity Measurement in Chemically Harsh Environment
in Procedia Engineering
Alwis L
(2013)
Analysis of Polyimide-Coated Optical Fiber Long-Period Grating-Based Relative Humidity Sensor
in IEEE Sensors Journal
Alwis L
(2017)
Evaluation of the Durability and Performance of FBG-Based Sensors for Monitoring Moisture in an Aggressive Gaseous Waste Sewer Environment
in Journal of Lightwave Technology
Alwis L
(2013)
Design and performance evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol/polyimide coated optical fibre grating-based humidity sensors.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Bremer K
(2014)
Sewerage tunnel leakage detection using a fibre optic moisture-detecting sensor system
in Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
Grattan S
(2009)
In Situ Cross-Calibration of In-Fiber Bragg Grating and Electrical Resistance Strain Gauges for Structural Monitoring Using an Extensometer
in IEEE Sensors Journal
Grattan S
(2009)
Monitoring of Corrosion in Structural Reinforcing Bars: Performance Comparison Using In Situ Fiber-Optic and Electric Wire Strain Gauge Systems
in IEEE Sensors Journal
Javdani S
(2016)
Underwater Free-Vibration Analysis of Full-Scale Marine Propeller Using a Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Sensor System
in IEEE Sensors Journal
Javdani S
(2014)
Fiber Bragg Grating-Based System for 2-D Analysis of Vibrational Modes of a Steel Propeller Blade
in Journal of Lightwave Technology
Kerrouche A
(2009)
Enhanced FBG sensor-based system performance assessment for monitoring strain along a prestressed CFRP rod in structural monitoring
in Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
Lam C
(2009)
Optical Fiber Refractive Index Sensor for Chloride Ion Monitoring
in IEEE Sensors Journal
McCague C
(2014)
Novel Sensor Design Using Photonic Crystal Fibres for Monitoring the Onset of Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Structures
in Journal of Lightwave Technology
McPolin D
(2007)
New Test Method to Obtain pH Profiles due to Carbonation of Concretes Containing Supplementary Cementitious Materials
in Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
McPolin D
(2011)
Preliminary Development and Evaluation of Fiber-Optic Chemical Sensors
in Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Nguyen T
(2014)
Fluorescence based fibre optic pH sensor for the pH 10-13 range suitable for corrosion monitoring in concrete structures
in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical
Nguyen T
(2016)
Intrinsic Fiber Optic pH Sensor for Measurement of pH Values in the Range of 0.5-6
in IEEE Sensors Journal
Sun T
(2012)
Building Stone Condition Monitoring Using Specially Designed Compensated Optical Fiber Humidity Sensors
in IEEE Sensors Journal
Vidakovic M
(2016)
Fibre Bragg Grating-Based Acoustic Sensor Array for Improved Condition Monitoring of Marine Lifting Surfaces
in Journal of Lightwave Technology
Vidakovic M
(2016)
Fibre Bragg Grating-Based Cascaded Acoustic Sensors for Potential Marine Structural Condition Monitoring
in Journal of Lightwave Technology
Description | Successful development of a suite of corrosion-related sensors, including pH, chloride, strain and temperature and RH sensors to facilitate the real-time monitoring of concrete structures |
Exploitation Route | The design of pH, chloride sensors has been patented before the publication. The research has been widely publicized through publications, conferences and workshops. |
Sectors | Construction Transport |
Description | The design of pH and chloride sensors has been patented before being published. Their commercial exploitation is still on-going as a couple of companies has expressed interest in looking into their commercial potential |
Description | EU CleanSky scheme |
Amount | € 598,963 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 607584 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 05/2014 |
End | 05/2016 |
Description | Industry funding |
Amount | £182,083 (GBP) |
Organisation | Brecknell Willis |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2014 |
End | 05/2016 |
Description | Sewer management |
Amount | $1,000,000 (AUD) |
Organisation | Sydney Water |
Sector | Public |
Country | Australia |
Start | 05/2017 |
End | 06/2018 |
Description | Standard grant |
Amount | £88,042 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I006214/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2011 |
End | 05/2012 |
Description | Standard grant |
Amount | £320,725 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H018247/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2010 |
End | 06/2013 |
Description | UKIERI |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | British Council |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2015 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | Water quality |
Amount | $700,000 (AUD) |
Organisation | Australian Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | Australia |
Start | 07/2017 |
End | 08/2020 |
Description | Amphora Non-destructive Testing Ltd |
Organisation | Amphora Non-Destructive Testing Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Building Research Establishment |
Organisation | Building Research Establishment |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Canadian National Energy Board |
Organisation | Government of Canada |
Department | Canadian National Energy Board |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Public |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Innovative manufacturing |
Organisation | Industrial Microwave Systems Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Development of optical fibre sensors to be integrated into a microwave, which is used for low-carbon concrete curing, thus providing significant energy saving and low-carbon concrete manufacturing solutions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Working together with academics both at City and UCL, allowing for the creation of smart microwaves for low-carbon concrete manufacturing |
Impact | Journal and conference publications and new funding application is in the pipeline It is multi-disciplinary: involving physics, material sciences and engineering |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Ove Arup Ltd |
Organisation | Arup Group |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Sewer corrosion monitoring |
Organisation | Sydney Water |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The collaboration between City University of London and Sydney Water enables the novel optical fibre humidity sensors developed at City to be deployed in sewers in Sydney for monitoring the rate of corrosion in concrete sewers for waste water management |
Collaborator Contribution | Contribution made by City: (i) Development of novel humidity sensors that are suitable for working in harsh conditions; (ii) software design to control the power consumption to enable continuous monitoring and data transmission powered by battery due to the lack of power supply in sewers; (iii) careful design and packaging of sensors to ensure the robustness and longevity of sensors working in highly acidic environment. Contribution by Sydney Water: (i) Working together with City colleagues for field implementation of novel sensors; (ii) investment of significant manpower time to undertake the joint work; (iii) supporting joint research funding application; (iv) providing cash support to speed up the field implementation process; (v) access to facilities and equipment at Sydney Water |
Impact | Australian NSW Water Awards 2017 Winner (http://www.awa.asn.au/AWA_MBRR/About_AWA/Awards/State_Awards/NSW.aspx) under the category of Research Innovation Award for 'Better management of sewers - exploiting photonics sensors research through its introduction to the water industry' It is multi-disciplinary: involving chemistry, physics and engineering |
Start Year | 2016 |
Title | OPTICAL MONITORING SYSTEM |
Description | A monitoring system (1) for an electric vehicle (11) that draws current from a conductor (13), the system (1) comprising: a plurality of sensor modules (31) distributed at spaced intervals throughout a conducting block (3) of a current collector (5), wherein the conducting block (3) contacts the conductor (13) in operation of the vehicle (11) and each said sensor module comprises an FBG (Fibre Bragg Grating) strain sensor (35) configured to output a first optical signal that varies in response to changes in strain and temperature of the conducting block (3) and a strain-isolated FBG temperature sensor (37) that is configured to output a second optical signal that varies in response to changes in temperature of the conducting block (3); an optical source (15) for illuminating each said sensor module (31); means (19) for optically coupling said optical source (15) to each said sensor module (31); and an optical signal interpretation module (17) configured to receive first and second optical signals from each said sensor module (31) via said optical coupling means (19), said optical signals being generated by said sensor modules (31) in response to illumination of said sensor modules (31) by said optical source (15), said interpretation module (17) being configured to capable of determining from said optical signals a temperature-independent strain measurement for each said sensor module (31). |
IP Reference | WO2014072436 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | Potential impact lies in the reduced failure of pantograph thus causing significant traffic disruption and cancellation of train operations |
Title | OPTICAL SENSOR |
Description | An optical sensor (1) for in-situ monitoring of chloride ion concentration in concrete structures, the sensor (1) comprising: a sensor body (3) that fluoresces when illuminated by light, the sensor body (3) being configured to exhibit a change in fluorescence when illuminated in the presence of chloride ions, and means (5) for optically coupling said sensor body to a source of illumination. A system (11) is also disclosed, along with methods of synthesising chloride sensitive polymerisable fluorescent dyes, and chloride sensitive polymerisable fluorescent dyes. |
IP Reference | WO2012098240 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2012 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | This will make an impact on the construction industry by providing an early warning for maintenance and for repair |
Title | OPTICAL SENSOR |
Description | An optical sensor (1) for pH monitoring in highly alkaline mediums, the sensor (1) comprising: a sensor body (3) that fluoresces when illuminated by light, the sensor body (3) being configured to exhibit a change in fluorescence in response to changing pH in highly alkaline mediums, the sensor further comprising means (5) for coupling the sensor body to a source of illumination. A system (11) is also disclosed, along with methods of synthesising pH sensitive polymerisable fluorescent coumarin dyes, and pH sensitive polymerisable fluorescent coumarin dyes. |
IP Reference | WO2012098242 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2012 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | This will make an impact on the construction industry by identifying corrosion problems at an early stage to save costing for maintenance and repair. |
Title | Sensing strain in an elongate reinforcing bar using an optical fibre sensor with integrated Bragg gratings |
Description | An apparatus and method for sensing axial strain in a reinforcement member of a reinforced concrete structure using at least one elongate light guide such as an optical fibre associated with said reinforcement member, said light guide including at least one integrated Bragg grating. Changes in axial strain applied to the reinforcement member can be detected by detecting a perturbation of frequency, amplitude, phase or polarization of light within the light guide. Preferably one or more optical fibres having a number of Bragg gratings are bonded into an elongate axial groove or slot formed in a side of a steel reinforcing bar or rod before it is embedded in a concrete or similar structure. The light guide may also be located within an axial bore within the reinforcement member. The apparatus may be used to determine cracks and other irregularities in the structure. The system may also be used for monitoring stress and strain in elongate reinforcing bars used as rock anchors. |
IP Reference | GB2439993 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2008 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | This will make an impact in the construction industry by providing an early warning of corrosion in order to minimize the cost for maintenance and for repair |
Company Name | Sengenia |
Description | Sengenia is a sensing solutions company that specializes in fiber optic sensing. They offer a range of Luna Technologies products, including Hyperion Interrogators and ODiSI Interrogators. |
Year Established | 2007 |
Impact | The company has been able to bridge the link between industry and the two academic organizations, City University London and Queen's University of Belfast, by promoting optical fibre sensor research at City to industry, in particular, to the construction sector. |
Website | http://www.sengenia.com |