Installation of Fiber Optic Weighing Sensor

Fiber optic weighing sensors can be installed efficiently using surface bonding or embedment methods, with careful preparation, adhesive selection, and proper routing to ensure accurate weight or strain measurements.

Key Installation Steps

1. Site Assessment and Planning Before installation, conduct a holistic survey of the site, including pavement condition, traffic flow, and structural constraints for WIM applications. Align sensor lanes to capture all axle groups at highway speed, ensuring full coverage and accurate measurements (BISON WIM installation) . 2. Surface Preparation

• Clean the surface thoroughly to remove dust, oils, or debris.
• Abrade or lightly sand the surface to improve adhesion.
• Condition or neutralize the surface if required, similar to standard strain gauge preparation . 3. Adhesive Selection and Application
• Use adhesives compatible with fiber optic sensors, such as M-Bond 200 epoxy or AE-10, which provide strong adhesion and rapid room-temperature curing .
• Apply the adhesive evenly along the sensor path, ensuring full contact with the substrate.
• Allow sufficient curing time before applying protective layers or exposing the sensor to traffic or environmental stress . 4. Sensor Placement and Routing
• Lay the fiber optic sensor along the intended measurement path, avoiding sharp bends or kinks.
• For WIM systems, sensors can be installed in surface cuts as shallow as 60 mm, minimizing civil works and avoiding road resurfacing .
• Ensure proper strain relief and secure routing to prevent damage from traffic or environmental factors . 5. Protection and Environmental Considerations
• Apply a protective layer, such as RTV silicone, to shield the fiber and adhesive from moisture, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical wear .
• For embedded applications in concrete or composite materials, ensure the fiber is fully encapsulated to maintain long-term durability . 6. Integration and Calibration
• Connect the fiber optic sensors to the data acquisition system, ensuring proper signal routing and minimal interference.
• Calibrate the system according to manufacturer guidelines to achieve high-velocity, enforcement-grade accuracy for WIM applications . 7. Installation Efficiency
• Modern fiber optic WIM systems, such as BISON, can be installed in under eight hours, with minimal traffic disruption and no buried electrical cables .
• Free-flow systems like OptiWIM allow full-width vehicle weight measurement without lane restrictions, enhancing accuracy and reducing installation complexity .

Summary

Successful installation of fiber optic weighing sensors requires careful planning, surface preparation, adhesive application, sensor routing, and environmental protection. For WIM applications, modern systems enable rapid deployment with minimal civil works, high-speed data acquisition, and seamless integration with enforcement or monitoring systems, ensuring reliable and precise weight measurements under real-world conditions .