Wireless Sensor Network for Structural Health Monitoring

Abstract

A wireless sensor mesh network for health monitoring of structures is presented. It is a low cost, easy to deploy, fast and reliable wireless sensor network. Wireless nodes are all identical to each other with on board sensors for measuring acceleration and temperature. The acceleration data from the nodes used to detect the strain of the structure was calibrated using a Vishay P3 strain gauge instrument. These sensor nodes can collect data as well as relay the data of the neighboring nodes. Data from all the nodes reaches the base station through multiple hop relays. The nodes were tested for their performance by using different frequency channels and radio output power levels. This network implements an energy efficient routing protocol which can also handle a node failure in route without losing data. Different power conservation techniques were discussed which can keep the network unattended for a week after being deployed on the structure.