An experimental study is performed on the measuring characteristics of BOTDR for structural health monitoring, including dead weight tension test and optical fiber compression-tension test.

Due to the Fresnel reflection in optical fiber links there will be dead zone existing in the measurement using OTDR. This paper gives a quantitative analysis of this so called dead zone.

First, the steel fiber reinforced concrete and the lightweight aggregate concrete can make up the deficiencies of common concrete such as low tensile strength and large dead weight.