Wireless system for structural health monitoring based on Lamb waves

Abstract

Structural health monitoring systems are increasingly used for comprehensive fatigue tests and surveillance of large scale structures. In this paper we describe the development and validation of a wireless system for SHM application based on Lamb-waves. The system is based on a wireless sensor network and focuses especially on low power measurement, signal processing and communication. The sensor nodes were realized by compact, sensor near signal processing structures containing components for analog preprocessing of acoustic signals, their digitization and network communication. The core component is a digital microprocessor ARM Cortex-M3 von STMicroelectronics, which performs the basic algorithms necessary for data acquisition synchronization and filtering. The system provides network discovery and multi-hop and self-healing mechanisms. If the distance between two communicating devices is too big for direct radio transmission, packets are routed over intermediate devi ces automatically. The system represents a low-power and low-cost active structural health monitoring solution. As a first application, the system was installed on a CFRP structure

Damage detection in a composite wind turbine blade using 3D scanning laser vibrometry

“…An installed actuator on an in-service turbine blade would require a power source. It is feasible that a wireless system could be employed [66][67][68] which would also omit the requirement for cabling. Much study has been carried out on developing methods of powering these systems either by wireless means such as radio frequencies 69 or by harvesting vibrational energy that occurs naturally during operation.…”

Embedded Damage Localization Subsystem Based on Elastic Wave Propagation

“…At least 100 mW of DC power could be provided this way. In Lieske et al (), also a microcontroller was used together with a WSN. Developed sensor nodes performed analog preprocessing of acoustic signals, their digitization, data reduction, and network communication.…”

A data management infrastructure for bridge monitoring

“…Developments of advanced sensing materials and devices, e.g. piezo lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, can provide measurements for detailed and precise structural evaluation but also entail enormous amount of data because of high sampling rate [7,8,9]. Structural monitoring systems will be inundated with data that need to be processed, interpreted and brought forth to support lifecycle bridge management.…”