Embedding Numerical Models into Wireless Sensor Nodes for Structural Health Monitoring

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards wireless sensing technologies in the field of structural health monitoring. However, the inherently limited resources of wireless sensor nodes pose significant constraints to wireless sensor networks in terms of power efficiency and autonomous operation. To this end, several embedded algorithms have been proposed, exploiting the collocation of computational power with sensing modules in an attempt to reduce the size of the data to be wirelessly communicated. This paper presents an embedded computing approach for decentralized condition assessment of civil engineering structures based on numerical models embedded into wireless sensor nodes. The proposed approach consists of two stages. First, a distributed numerical model of the "initial" structural state, comprising coupled partial models of the monitored structure, is generated on-board the wireless sensor nodes. Second, automated identification of structural changes is performed through a comparison of the initial state of the numerical model and a simulated damaged state. For validation, laboratory tests of the proposed approach are performed on a four-story frame structure.

New intelligent network approach for monitoring physiological parameters: the case of Benin

“…Several other authors have worked on health surveillance systems based on wireless sensor networks for the improvement and continuous monitoring of healthcare. Like Dragos et al [16], who conducted a comparative study of wireless sensor nodes for health surveillance with an emphasis on embedded computing capabilities and the ability of nodes. Tunas et al [17] worked on a wireless sensor for the health surveillance of the elderly and the disabled.…”

Wireless sensor network for structural health monitoring: A contemporary review of technologies, challenges, and future direction

“…6 Therefore, various designs for wireless sensor platforms were enabled along with the advances in sensing technology to suit the requirements and environment of SHM. Consequently, several studies 5,7–10 provided a summary review of the inventory of academic wireless prototypes and commercial wireless platforms, which researchers used for SHM applications.…”

“…7 The solutions of historic (beginning mid-1990s) academic sensing applicable to SHM were summarized, and a range of commercially available sensor nodes were comparatively assessed. Moreover, an overview of the embedded computing capabilities of academic and commercial wireless sensor platforms was presented in Dragos and Smarsly, 10 yet only one academic prototype, that has been recently developed, was introduced with no existence of up-to-date commercial platform. A brief survey of full-scale deployments of WSNs for bridge monitoring was tabulated and discussed in Rice and Spencer, 8 which contained limited platforms for both academic and commercial platforms up to 2008.…”

Automated Wireless Structural Health Monitoring and Control Using Tuned Liquid Column Dampers

“…Depending on the type of structural control system, control forces are either directly applied to the damper or used to modify the structural properties of the damper. Following advances in wireless technologies and the gradual incorporation of wireless sensor networks in SHM [5,6], structural control strategies have been adapted to wireless SHM systems. Specifically, structural control algorithms traditionally designed for centralized applications of tethered SHM systems have been embedded in wireless sensor nodes to leverage the on-board processing capabilities of the sensor nodes and to reduce wireless data transmission, which is unreliable and power-consuming.…”