Design of simulator for seepage detection in an embankment based on distributed optic fibre sensing technology

Based on the temperature change in an embankment, a seepage flow simulator and monitoring system based on distributed optical fiber sensing are proposed. A simulator is designed that consists of scale model of embankment with definite length, seepage flow control cell and monitoring cell. Conventional hygrothermograph and flowmeter are employed in system dispersedly. The results from those conventional instruments were used to compare with the data from a distributed fibre sensing DiTeSt analyzer. The simulator equipment can monitor various embankments with different boundary conditions, such as temperature, distributions of soakage line and scales. The process of producing seepage pathway and configuration of sensing cable are presented, as well as test results with a field-installed fiber optic sensing cable. The simulator and results are helpful to build reasonable configurations for field real-time monitoring of abnormal seepage flow, which also offer an effective approach to study problems related to a secured embankment.