Automated crack detection in axially loaded grouted connections of offshore wind turbines using embedded Fibre Bragg Grating sensor data

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OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer106734
FachzeitschriftAutomation in Construction
Jahrgang182
Frühes Online-Datum24 Dez. 2025
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Feb. 2026

Abstract

Grouted connections are critical components in offshore wind turbine foundations subjected to cyclic axial loading. Understanding their fatigue degradation is essential for structural integrity. This paper presents an application of a frequency-based method for automated crack detection and evaluation in grouted connections using embedded Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. The method identifies mechanical response reversal, from grout compression to elongation at load peaks, linked to crack initiation, using short-time Fourier transform (STFT) analysis of FBG signals. Validated through fatigue testing, it enables robust, automated, and spatially resolved crack detection throughout the fatigue life. Statistical evaluation revealed typical crack progression from outer regions towards central shear key levels. A correlation was found between crack formation and displacement behaviour, segmented into stable, incremental, and progressive degradation phases. Rapid displacement increases in the progressive phase occurred only after cracks formed across all shear key levels, offering insights for damage detection and monitoring strategies.

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Automated crack detection in axially loaded grouted connections of offshore wind turbines using embedded Fibre Bragg Grating sensor data. / Borgelt, Jakob Michael; Possekel, Joshua; Schaumann, Peter et al.
in: Automation in Construction, Jahrgang 182, 106734, 02.2026.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

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title = "Automated crack detection in axially loaded grouted connections of offshore wind turbines using embedded Fibre Bragg Grating sensor data",
abstract = "Grouted connections are critical components in offshore wind turbine foundations subjected to cyclic axial loading. Understanding their fatigue degradation is essential for structural integrity. This paper presents an application of a frequency-based method for automated crack detection and evaluation in grouted connections using embedded Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. The method identifies mechanical response reversal, from grout compression to elongation at load peaks, linked to crack initiation, using short-time Fourier transform (STFT) analysis of FBG signals. Validated through fatigue testing, it enables robust, automated, and spatially resolved crack detection throughout the fatigue life. Statistical evaluation revealed typical crack progression from outer regions towards central shear key levels. A correlation was found between crack formation and displacement behaviour, segmented into stable, incremental, and progressive degradation phases. Rapid displacement increases in the progressive phase occurred only after cracks formed across all shear key levels, offering insights for damage detection and monitoring strategies.",
keywords = "structural health monitoring, Grouted connections, Fibre Bragg Grating sensing, Frequency analysis, Fatigue, Automated crack detection, Offshore wind, Structural health monitoring",
author = "Borgelt, {Jakob Michael} and Joshua Possekel and Peter Schaumann and Elyas Ghafoori",
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T1 - Automated crack detection in axially loaded grouted connections of offshore wind turbines using embedded Fibre Bragg Grating sensor data

AU - Borgelt, Jakob Michael

AU - Possekel, Joshua

AU - Schaumann, Peter

AU - Ghafoori, Elyas

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

PY - 2026/2

Y1 - 2026/2

N2 - Grouted connections are critical components in offshore wind turbine foundations subjected to cyclic axial loading. Understanding their fatigue degradation is essential for structural integrity. This paper presents an application of a frequency-based method for automated crack detection and evaluation in grouted connections using embedded Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. The method identifies mechanical response reversal, from grout compression to elongation at load peaks, linked to crack initiation, using short-time Fourier transform (STFT) analysis of FBG signals. Validated through fatigue testing, it enables robust, automated, and spatially resolved crack detection throughout the fatigue life. Statistical evaluation revealed typical crack progression from outer regions towards central shear key levels. A correlation was found between crack formation and displacement behaviour, segmented into stable, incremental, and progressive degradation phases. Rapid displacement increases in the progressive phase occurred only after cracks formed across all shear key levels, offering insights for damage detection and monitoring strategies.

AB - Grouted connections are critical components in offshore wind turbine foundations subjected to cyclic axial loading. Understanding their fatigue degradation is essential for structural integrity. This paper presents an application of a frequency-based method for automated crack detection and evaluation in grouted connections using embedded Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. The method identifies mechanical response reversal, from grout compression to elongation at load peaks, linked to crack initiation, using short-time Fourier transform (STFT) analysis of FBG signals. Validated through fatigue testing, it enables robust, automated, and spatially resolved crack detection throughout the fatigue life. Statistical evaluation revealed typical crack progression from outer regions towards central shear key levels. A correlation was found between crack formation and displacement behaviour, segmented into stable, incremental, and progressive degradation phases. Rapid displacement increases in the progressive phase occurred only after cracks formed across all shear key levels, offering insights for damage detection and monitoring strategies.

KW - structural health monitoring

KW - Grouted connections

KW - Fibre Bragg Grating sensing

KW - Frequency analysis

KW - Fatigue

KW - Automated crack detection

KW - Offshore wind

KW - Structural health monitoring

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U2 - 10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106734

DO - 10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106734

M3 - Article

VL - 182

JO - Automation in Construction

JF - Automation in Construction

SN - 0926-5805

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ER -

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