Prototyping of vibration-sensing-actuation device to realization of future intelligent infrastructure

Abstract

The infrastructure built in the 1950s has deteriorated beyond its service life. However, replacing all infrastructure is very difficult and involves huge replacement costs. To address this problem, the optimization of maintenance operations and participation of various stakeholders in the maintenance is required; however, maintenance technology and social cognition in terms of infrastructure deterioration remains insufficient. In this study, we perform research and development simultaneously to improve maintenance technology and social cognition. However, technological issues exist, such as lack of high-reliability diagnoses and optimized scheduling of maintenance, and optimized repair methods. In particular, this study focuses on high-reliability diagnosis. Next, communication of information between stakeholders and infrastructure is required to improve social cognition in terms of infrastructure deterioration. Particularly, in this study, the infrastructure with communication function between the residents and infrastructure is referred to as "future intelligent infrastructure." We prototype a vibration-sensing-actuation device for a future intelligent infrastructure. In particular, we focus on the detection of the water main deterioration and estimation of the ground soil internal state. Then, the operation of the minimum valuable function is verified. The concept and fundamental functions of the vibration-sensing-actuation device are proposed. Moreover, a prototype device that functionally limits the active and dynamic sensing and simplifies autonomous discrimination is implemented for deterioration detection of the water main. Consequently, the fundamental operation of pipe-thinning detection is confirmed. Furthermore, an application for ground soil internal state estimation was considered. Consequently, the fundamental operation of detecting change in soil stiffness was confirmed.