Virtual Environments for Visualizing Structural Health Monitoring Sensor Networks, Data, and Metadata

Abstract

Visualization of sensor networks, data, and metadata is becoming one of the most pivotal aspects of the structural health monitoring (SHM) process. Without the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively between disparate groups working on a project, an SHM system can be underused, misunderstood, or even abandoned. For this reason, this work seeks to evaluate visualization techniques in the field, identify flaws in current practices, and devise a new method for visualizing and accessing SHM data and metadata in 3D. More precisely, the work presented here reflects a method and digital workflow for integrating SHM sensor networks, data, and metadata into a virtual reality environment by combining spherical imaging and informational modeling. Both intuitive and interactive, this method fosters communication on a project enabling diverse practitioners of SHM to efficiently consult and use the sensor networks, data, and metadata. The method is presented through its implementation on a case study, Streicker Bridge at Princeton University campus. To illustrate the efficiency of the new method, the time and data file size were compared to other potential methods used for visualizing and accessing SHM sensor networks, data, and metadata in 3D. Additionally, feedback from civil engineering students familiar with SHM is used for validation. Recommendations on how different groups working together on an SHM project can create SHM virtual environment and convey data to proper audiences, are also included.

Teacher Perceptions of Training and Pedagogical Value of Cross-Reality and Sensor Data from Smart Buildings

“…Research has explored the integration of computing technologies and visualizations of data with inquiry teaching practices as a way of addressing data literacy for both students [13,20,47,48] and teachers [21,42]. The industry is also aware that efficient and effective communication of sensor data is critical for the correct utilization and the usefulness of smart systems [49]. In the last decade, efforts have been made to develop novel, effective ways to visualize and communicate sensor data from buildings, including the use of immersive technologies [50].…”

“…In the VR interface, a gaming software engine was used to navigate the Building Information Model (BIM) of the monitored structure, allowing interactions with multiple sensors, graphs, and data sources while navigating through the building in a virtual environment. A study by Napolitano et al [49] presents a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) platform integrating visualization of sensor networks and data in a virtual environment, employing a combination of Virtual Tour (VT) and Informational Modelling (IM) design patterns. In the VT/IM environment, a user can access both raw and processed data and relate sets of data to the monitored structure by accessing technical drawings and sensor infrastructure.…”

“…In the VT/IM environment, a user can access both raw and processed data and relate sets of data to the monitored structure by accessing technical drawings and sensor infrastructure. The platform was tested with a group of civil engineering students, who found the 3D platform useful to contextualize data and understood its relevance [49].…”

Fostering Sustainability through Visualization Techniques for Real-Time IoT Data: A Case Study Based on Gas Turbines for Electricity Production

“…These systems generate massive amounts of data that can be analyzed and visualized to better understand people's dynamics [21]. Another sector is healthcare: the visualization of data, metadata and sensor networks is becoming one of the most important aspects of the health monitoring process [22]. In [23], an intelligent healthcare framework based on IoT technology is proposed, providing ubiquitous healthcare to users during their workout sessions.…”

Combination of Image-Based Documentation and Augmented Reality for Structural Health Monitoring and Building Pathology

“…More recently, the bridge was instrumented with several sensing sheets (Yao and Glisic, 2015). Figure 9 shows the typology and layout of the sensors in plan and in section (Abdel-Jaber , 2017;Napolitano et al, 2018a). In plan, the locations of the parallel sensors, prestressing tendon, sensing sheet, and the displacement sensor can be seen along the south section of the bridge.…”