Feasibility of embedded wireless sensors for monitoring of concrete curing and structural health

B. Quinn; G. Kelly

doi:10.1117/12.847529

31 March 2010 Feasibility of embedded wireless sensors for monitoring of concrete curing and structural health

B. Quinn, G. Kelly

Proceedings Volume 7647, Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2010; 764704 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.847529
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

This paper examines the feasibility of embedding wireless sensors into concrete for structural health monitoring. Wireless sensors (motes) with temperature and humidity measurement capabilities were designed with onboard communication using the 433 MHz ISM band and embedded into concrete. A package was designed to protect the sensor from the aggressive environment within concrete. The effect of the package on the response time and accuracy of the sensor was quantified in a humidity chamber. Testing was carried out on the sensors which replicated on site conditions, to determine what the effect of the concrete itself, the steel reinforcement, and steel backed formwork had on the transmission of data. The transmission distance and reliability of receiving data was quantified. Test results suggest that it is possible to deploy an embedded sensor system and transmit live data from the embedded sensor to a data acquisition system located outside the concrete. Preliminary results show that steel backed formwork reduces the transmission distance of the sensors to 3.5m which extended to 7.5m when the formwork was removed. A temperature and moisture sensor applied to the mote gave an indication of the ability of the sensor to transfer live data from within the concrete. It was found that the temperature sensor accurately followed the temperature profile of the concrete when compared to a thermocouple.

Citation Download Citation

B. Quinn and G. Kelly "Feasibility of embedded wireless sensors for monitoring of concrete curing and structural health", Proc. SPIE 7647, Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2010, 764704 (31 March 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.847529

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