A Wireless System for Real-Time Environmental and Structural Monitoring

Abstract

Accurate real-time monitoring of structural health can result in significant safety improvements, while providing data that can be used to improve design and construction practices. For bridges, monitoring of water level, tilt, displacement, strain, and vibration can provide snapshots of the state of the structure. Real-time measurement and communication of this information can be invaluable in guiding decisions regarding the safety and remaining fatigue life of a bridge. This paper describes the real-time data acquisition, communication, and alerting capabilities of the Flood Frog, an autonomous wireless system for remote monitoring. Battery power and utilization of the GSM cellular network result in a completely wireless system. Coupled with the low cost of the device, the elimination of cables allows deployment in locations where autonomous monitoring is hindered by cost or infeasibility of installation. The first prototype of the system was deployed in Osage Beach, MO in November 2006.

Meeting Name

5th IFIP WG 10.2 International Workshop on Software Technologies for Embedded and Ubiquitous Systems (2007: May 7-8, Santorini Island, Greece)

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Sponsor(s)

United States. Department of Transportation

Comments

This research was supported in part by the United States Department of Transportation.

Keywords and Phrases

Autonomous Wireless System; Real-Time Monitoring; Autonomous Monitoring; Design And Construction Practice; GSM Cellular Networks; Real Time Data Acquisition; Real Time Measurements; Real Time Monitoring; Remaining Fatigue Life; Structural Monitoring; Data Processing; Data Structures; Electric Power Utilization; Wireless Sensor Networks; Data Acquisition; Embedded Systems; Fatigue Of Materials; Water Levels, Real Time Systems; Structural Health Monitoring; Wireless System; Sleep Mode; Structural Health Monitoring System

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-3540756637; 978-3540756644

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0302-9743; 1611-3349

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2007 Springer Verlag, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 2007

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