Not just the Internet: Foresight uses optical fiber to detect structural damage after earthquakes

A new method based on optical interferometry is to monitor the structural damage of earthquake-hit buildings in real time, and is the result of a Foresight Research Project led by Politecnico di Milano and conducted with Inrim (National Metrology Institute and the National Metrology Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology).

Researchers hope to leverage fiber optic systems already in their homes to provide internet connectivity, particularly during the period just after the initial shock, to check the condition of the building immediately after the earthquake.

By employing interferometry, interdisciplinary teams use fiber optic signals to collect information. By converting fiber optic signals into predictive data relative to structures, researchers can predict the extent of potential damage, even before visible signs appear, providing important clues to emergency response teams.

Simulations by the researchers showed that this method could detect damage early and at the most important stages. It is important to check the condition of the home very quickly, as people need a safe place to evacuate due to the earthquake.

Foresight systems provide efficient and cost-effective solutions, establishing a framework for rapid earthquake risk assessment that is 90% faster than current methods, up to 50% cheaper, fully scalable, and more reliable than traditional visual assessment methods.

Alper Kanyilmaz, Architectural Supervisor of Politecnico di Milano, Architectural Bureau of Architecture, Associate Professor of Building Environment and Construction Engineering, explained the ideas behind the project. event. ”

Hasan Ceylan, researcher at Politecnico di Milano, said, “An advanced technology can be used in foresight projects, including mathematical models and data analysis, to assess the stability and safety of a building and combine it with optical interferometry, thus providing practical applications.

When you measure the signal in a cable, a very important part works. “Optical fibers derived from optical interferometry, derived from optical interferometry, derived from advanced measurement techniques developed at INRIM,” said Simone Donadello, a researcher at INRIM and a member of the Foresight Team.

“Today’s textile sensing technology offers a new way to monitor natural events and impacts on urban fabrics. This additional tool can be used to monitor structures in a direct, continuous way and provide a critical means of information and security in society,” said André Herrero, a researcher at INGV.

The joint research group between Politecnico di Milano and Inrim has filed a patent application for the Foresighted Method, along with INGV and open fiber. The next phase of the research will focus on the application of the system and actual testing in urban areas, allowing this technology to play an important role in earthquake preparation and disaster response. With further development, fiber optic networks become part of a broader strategy for monitoring the structural health of buildings in the event of earthquakes.