Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In 2023, a routine visual inspection revealed the development of critical cracks in the concrete lining of a section of the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) ring tunnel at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN). The pattern of the observed cracks indicated that this section of tunnel was undergoing deformation, with a critical mechanism such as vertical elongation. Following an extensive investigation, emergency repair works were carried out to stabilize the tunnel lining and prevent further deformation. As part of the long-term mitigation measures put in place, a permanent distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) system was installed on the surface of the repaired tunnel lining to enable its continuous monitoring. The DFOS monitoring system, which has been in operation since April 2024, has allowed the asset owners to track the performance of the tunnel structure in real-time. The data acquired so far indicate that, although the repair works have been effective in stabilizing most of the affected tunnel area, a small section of the lining is still exhibiting vertical elongation, with the magnitude of the deformation evidently increasing with time.
Source: Procedia Structural Integrity
Language: English
Topic: Advanced Fiber Optic Sensors
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214740840