Developing a Sensor Network for Applications in Structural Health Monitoring
Format
SOECS Senior Project Demonstration
Faculty Mentor Name
Rahim Khoie
Faculty Mentor Department
School of Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Artist Statement
The bridge has always been one of man’s greatest advancements in transportation and many people now rely heavily on them in their everyday travels. The collapse of a bridge can be a catastrophic event that can cost millions of dollars to repair. Structural health monitoring is a technique used to prevent collapses by observing the bridge’s natural response to external forces and detecting any changes that might indicate damage. The purpose of the project is to develop a network of sensors designed to gather data necessary for structural health monitoring of a bridge. Two nodes on the bridge collect vibration data and wirelessly transmit the data to a computer for post transmission processing and display. Each node consists of a microprocessor which samples data from accelerometers in order to capture the vibration data. The nodes are powered by batteries that are recharged by solar cells. This type of sensor network allows early damage detection so repairs can be made before the bridge fails. The pro-active technique of structural health monitoring saves the time and money of rebuilding the entire bridge if damage were to go unnoticed.
Location
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Start Date
30-4-2011 2:00 PM
End Date
30-4-2011 3:30 PM
Developing a Sensor Network for Applications in Structural Health Monitoring
School of Engineering & Computer Science
The bridge has always been one of man’s greatest advancements in transportation and many people now rely heavily on them in their everyday travels. The collapse of a bridge can be a catastrophic event that can cost millions of dollars to repair. Structural health monitoring is a technique used to prevent collapses by observing the bridge’s natural response to external forces and detecting any changes that might indicate damage. The purpose of the project is to develop a network of sensors designed to gather data necessary for structural health monitoring of a bridge. Two nodes on the bridge collect vibration data and wirelessly transmit the data to a computer for post transmission processing and display. Each node consists of a microprocessor which samples data from accelerometers in order to capture the vibration data. The nodes are powered by batteries that are recharged by solar cells. This type of sensor network allows early damage detection so repairs can be made before the bridge fails. The pro-active technique of structural health monitoring saves the time and money of rebuilding the entire bridge if damage were to go unnoticed.