DTS Data Correlation Analysis for Environmental Monitoring and Infrastructure Protection

Title: DTS Data Correlation Analysis for Environmental Monitoring and Infrastructure Protection
Author: Fabien Ravet{1}, Cristian Silva{2}, Jorge Muguruza{2}, Alexandre Goy{3}, Etienne Rochat{3}, Yvan Jacquat{1}
Affiliation: {1}Gradesens, Switzerland; {2}Hunt LNG Operating Company, Peru; {3}Omnisens, Switzerland
Abstract: Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) has been widely used for infrastructure monitoring. Most common applications are pipeline leak detection prevention and geohazard mitigation as well as power cable thermal rating. The study of the soil-atmosphere thermal interaction reveals that natural phenomenon can be monitored with DTS and buried communication Optical Fiber Cables (OFC). The current article discusses the application of DTS to the monitoring of the effect of Soil-atmosphere thermal interaction showing annual and daily variations. DTS data from over 10 years is analyzed, allowing for the observation of the El Niño 2014-2016 event, which is among the strongest of the recent El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) occurrences. It illustrates how DTS technology and communication backbone can provide data to study environmental effects at a global level. Erosion is a natural hazard that threatens transportation infrastructures. DTS can be used to detect and localize erosion. A correlation analysis is introduced to quantify erosion and to spatially profile the soil cover.