The objective of this study is to investigate an embedded strain sensor system with power scavenged from highway bridge vibration for structure health monitoring. A power scavenging scheme is developed to power the sensor system so as to eliminate the dependence of batteries. Three mechanisms (PZT patch, cantilever beam and PZT stacks/slugs) are described that are suitable for the remote sensor system to scavenge mechanical energy at different locations in a bridge.
Calculations and experiments are taken to examine the feasibility of the idea, and predicted power generation is compared to solar/light power. A scheme of an embedded strain sensor using resonant MEMS beam structure is introduced along with the theoretical analysis and simulation. The last consideration is the signal propagation attenuation in concrete. Measurements are taken to determine the RF signal attenuation at 900 MHz range transmitted through a concrete slab. Theoretical calculations are validated by experimental results.
Source: University of Maryland
Author: Wang, Ming
Similar Projects:
- Piezo-electric Power Scavenging for Mining Applications (ECE/EEE Project)
- Embedded System for Sensor Communication and Security (Electronics Project)
- Average Consensus in Wireless Sensor Networks with Probabilistic Network Links (Networking Project)
- Behavior and Analysis of an Instrumented Slab Bridge (Civil Project)
- Bridge Pier Scour in Tidal Environments (Civil Project)
- Low Power Smartdust Receiver with Novel Applications and Improvements of an RF Power Harvesting Circuit (Electronics Project)
- Characterization of the Behavior of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (Civil Project)