With Foresight, fiber optics to detect structural damage after earthquakes
A new technology developed at Politecnico di Milano, in collaboration with INRiM – Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica and INGV – Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, promises to revolutionize post-earthquake structural assessment. Called Foresight, it is a structural monitoring system that uses standard fiber optic cables—originally intended for home internet connections—to evaluate the condition of buildings in real time following seismic events.
The project is led by Professor Alper Kanyilmaz from the Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering at Politecnico di Milano, with a key role played by researcher Hasan Ceylan, recipient of a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fellowship. He is working on the development of advanced models for assessing structural stability, integrated with optical interferometry.
Using optical interferometry, Foresight converts signals from fiber optic cables into predictive data on structural conditions. This approach enables the early detection of damage—even before it becomes visible—providing crucial information to emergency response teams. Simulations show the system is up to 90% faster and 50% more cost-effective than traditional visual inspection methods.
Our goal is to develop a system capable of assessing structural integrity without requiring additional infrastructure in affected areas. We aim to provide communities with tools to respond more quickly and safely to seismic events.
Alper Kanyilmaz, Professor of the Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering
In addition to the POLIMI team, the project also involves Simone Donadello (INRiM), an expert in optical measurement techniques, André Herrero (INGV), who contributes expertise in urban seismic monitoring, and Open Fiber, the technical partner for network infrastructure.
The research group has already filed a patent application for the Foresight method. The next phase of the project will focus on real-world testing in urban areas, with the goal of integrating this technology into cities’ disaster response and resilience strategies.