Real-time structural health monitoring for concrete beams: a cost-effective ‘Industry 4.0’ solution using piezo sensors
International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation
ISSN: 2398-4708
Article publication date: 11 May 2020
Issue publication date: 11 March 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This research paper adopts the fundamental tenets of advanced technologies in industry 4.0 to monitor the structural health of concrete beam members using cost-effective non-destructive technologies. In so doing, the work illustrates how a coalescence of low-cost digital technologies can seamlessly integrate to solve practical construction problems.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed philosophies epistemological design is adopted to implement the empirical quantitative analysis of “real-time” data collected via sensor-based technologies streamed through a Raspberry Pi and uploaded onto a cloud-based system. Data was analysed using a hybrid approach that combined both vibration-characteristic-based method and linear variable differential transducers (LVDT).
Findings
The research utilises a novel digital research approach for accurately detecting and recording the localisation of structural cracks in concrete beams. This non-destructive low-cost approach was shown to perform with a high degree of accuracy and precision, as verified by the LVDT measurements. This research is testament to the fact that as technological advancements progress at an exponential rate, the cost of implementation continues to reduce to produce higher-accuracy “mass-market” solutions for industry practitioners.
Originality/value
Accurate structural health monitoring of concrete structures necessitates expensive equipment, complex signal processing and skilled operator. The concrete industry is in dire need of a simple but reliable technique that can reduce the testing time, cost and complexity of maintenance of structures. This was the first experiment of its kind that seeks to develop an unconventional approach to solve the maintenance problem associated with concrete structures. This study merges industry 4.0 digital technologies with a novel low-cost and automated hybrid analysis for real-time structural health monitoring of concrete beams by fusing several multidisciplinary approaches into one integral technological configuration.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to extend their gratitude to Deakin University concrete laboratory, especially to Mr. Ikramul Mohammad, lab technical advisor and undergraduate student Ms. Emmy Glassen from School of Civil Engineering, Deakin University and Mr. Avinash Putta and Ms. Aishwarya Sanjay from School of Architecture and Built Environment for their assistance in performing the experiments as well as to the Altair, Melbourne team especially Mr. Venkata Perumal for assisting with calibration and integration of sensors in an IoT platform.
Citation
Ghosh, A., Edwards, D.J., Hosseini, M.R., Al-Ameri, R., Abawajy, J. and Thwala, W.D. (2021), "Real-time structural health monitoring for concrete beams: a cost-effective ‘Industry 4.0’ solution using piezo sensors", International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. 39 No. 2, pp. 283-311. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-12-2019-0111
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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