Embedded Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring: Methodologies and Applications Review

Abstract

Sensing Technology (ST) plays a key role in Structural Health-Monitoring (SHM) systems. ST focuses on developing sensors, sensory systems, or smart materials that monitor a wide variety of materials’ properties aiming to create smart structures and smart materials, using Embedded Sensors (ESs), and enabling continuous and permanent measurements of their structural integrity. The integration of ESs is limited to the processing technology used to embed the sensor due to its high-temperature sensitivity and the possibility of damage during its insertion into the structure. In addition, the technological process selection is dependent on the base material’s composition, which comprises either metallic or composite parts. The selection of smart sensors or the technology underlying them is fundamental to the monitoring mode. This paper presents a critical review of the fundaments and applications of sensing technologies for SHM systems employing ESs, focusing on their actual developments and innovation, as well as analysing the challenges that these technologies present, in order to build a path that allows for a connected world through distributed measurement systems.

Feasibility of in-situ health monitoring for composite structure with embedded piezoelectric sensor networks

“…Piezoelectric sensor embedding is one of the popular techniques used for SHM due to their advantage in high-temperature resistance [18] and immunity to electromagnetic interference. These networks could be implemented on the surface of the host structures [15] or be embedded inside the structure itself [19]. Being an active sensor, they could be used with the electro-mechanical impedance principle in which any change of the mechanical property of the host structure will be reflected as changes of electrical impedance that is recorded by the piezoelectric sensors.…”

Scientific evaluation of ultrasonic sensors for use in applications of water and hydraulic monitoring

“…For most practical applications, changes in pressure, humidity, and carbon dioxide have negligible effects. Hence, this approximation can be simplified as, v = (0.62T ) + 331.41 (2) where v is the speed of sound (m/s) and T is the air temperature ( • C).…”

“…For example, requirements and limitations of strain gauges, accelerometers, and minimum bit thresholds of analog-to-digital converters are well studied and understood in the field of structural health monitoring to ensure proper use and integration of sufficiently high-fidelity measurements in diagnosis and decision-making processes. 2 However, in recent years, as easy-to-deploy, off-the-shelf sensors continue to decrease in cost and increase in accessibility through simple and well-documented integration with entry-level, open-source electronics platforms (e.g., Arduino), low-quality, easy-to-use sensors are increasingly being inappropriately used to characterize physical and natural processes. That is, off-the-shelf sensors are being widely used to collect data and inform decisions and policies without a rigorous understanding or evaluation of how well the sensor can accurately capture process information within the specific context or use case.…”

Structural Health Monitoring for Prefabricated Building Envelope under Stress Tests

“…In recent years, both civil construction and the building sector have explored the utilization of sensing technologies for SHM embedded in their structure [6,7]; in particular, focus has been given to the SHM of bridges [8,9]. However, the integration of sensors into non-load-bearing structures, such as a curtain wall façade, represents an increasing topic that needs to be further investigated.…”