In October 2021, we conducted tests using fiber optic sensing cables at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, together with a university research institute, as part of a government project to prevent river embankment inundation and collapse.

Four tests were conducted: a small-scale model test, a medium-scale model test and two very large-scale field embankment tests. They demonstrated that fiber optic sensing cables could accurately measure changes associated with sunset, sunrise, inundation, overtopping and embankment collapse, and detect the corresponding events.

The tests also distinguished between embankments built using a collapse-prevention method and those built using a conventional method, demonstrating the technology's potential to provide warning of overtopping or collapse.

Detected events included sunset, sunrise, overtopping, minor and major inundation, and collapse.