Fiber-Optic Sensing Technologies for Underground Pipeline Monitoring

Underground pipeline networks are essential for safely and efficiently transporting critical resources. Traditional sensing approaches are often limited in coverage and are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, which creates difficulties in long-term deployment. Recently, fiber-optic sensing technologies have gained increasing attention for their ability to provide distributed, high-resolution, and real-time data on key parameters. This review outlines the fundamental principles and classifications of fiber-optic sensors and highlights their practical applications in pipeline engineering. This article also discusses persistent technical and operational challenges and presents potential solutions to overcome the current limitations. Overall, this review serves as a reference for advancing fiber-optic sensing for underground pipeline monitoring.