IAETSD

1. IoT of Bridges
L.Andal#1
, A.Praba#2
, P.Mohanavadivu*3
#1
HOD, #2
Asst. Prof.,Civil Engineering Department, VCET, India
*
CEO, Scientific Research Invision Incorporation, Canada
1
la@vcet.ac.in
2
apr@vcet.ac.in
3
sriinccanada@gmail.com
Abstract— An attempt has been made to implement IoT to monitor deflection of Bridge decks using Piezoelectric sensors. In the first
phase, as an initial step, a "Piezomat" which is an Assembly of Piezosensors is designed and developed to monitor deflection
parameters in a 0.01x0.01x0.75m beam by connecting it to a Raspberry Pi 2. Data collected will be analyzed and the system will be
trained to behave as a "smart structure". A Bridge deck slab will be designed and analyzed by FEM for dynamic wheel loading and
co-related with Piezomat and its deflection reading. By smart working principles, the strength & serviceability could be extrapolated.
In the second phase, Alternate Energy Conversion Methods will be explored and the method that gives best efficiency will be adopted
for IoT. This process could make the whole system "self-sufficient for energy generation & utilisation". The findings of our project
could pave a positive way of approach for the successful practical implementation of IoT to monitor bridges and also make it "self-
sufficient" by adopting to an Alternate Energy Conversion system.
Keywords— Piezomat, FEM, Raspberry Pi 2, IoT, Alternate Energy Systems
I. INTRODUCTION
Internet of Things (IoT) is the hot-topic on research. While IoT is in its peak with Communication and Information Technology
departments, it is still in its infancy with applications to Civil Engineering structures. There is a great need to bring Bridge
monitoring by IoT into practical use[1].There is also a great need to devise Alternate Energy Conversion Systems, for self-
sufficiency in electrical power generation for consumption. Movement of vehicles have great impacts on Bridges, and through a
suitable system, we need to transfer this impact energy into electrical energy. Innovative Research leading to Engineered
Solution could best resolve this challenge.
II. OVERVIEW OF IOT
Internet Applications on computers and mobile devices have revolutionised both our lifestyle and work culture. As a further
advancement, Internet of Things ( IoT) has brought to us a Smart Lifestyle & Smart Work culture.
A. Human Brain Analogy for Smart Structure
Considering our human body, the Brain controls the functioning of every part of the body through the nervous system. A
computing device can be programmed to make decisions and depending on reliabile inputs fed to it, and thereby made "Smart
Controllers" in analogous to our human brain. Household appliances, Civil Infrastructures (that serve people daily including
bridges, buildings, roads, pipelines, etc) and Public Service facilities services (like Transport facilities, Health care facilities,
Safety & Security measures, Traffic Management, Pollution Control) when incorporated with sensors become "Smart Systems"
analogous to our human body sensory organs. A Smart Controller on the Internet connected to other Smart Systems could
perform exactly in analogous to our human body. This accessibility, made possible through Internet is named Internet of Things
( IoT). Human access to the Smart Controller and through it to other Smart Systems is possible through IoT.
B. IoT and Civil Infrastructure
Internet of Things (IoT) has triggered a new communication pattern that all the objects in our life and work could be possibly
communicated in both a sensory and an intelligent manner[2]. Two typical information exchange modes, i.e. human to thing
(H2T) talk and thing to thing (T2T) talk, are thereby available anytime at anywhere to facilitate dissemination of information in
a smart way2
. Smart Appliances make way for a smart home and thereby also to a smart city, where all the Civil Infrastructures
could be efficiently operated and other Public Service facilities could also be effectively administered. Just the way Money
transactions are performed on the Internet, so too, Product Monitoring ( Bridges, Buildings ) and Project Management ( Traffic
Regulation, Water Supply, Sanitary disposal, Pollution control) could be done SMARTLY using IoT.
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2. III. SMART SENSORS
A. Piezosensors
A piezoelectric sensor is a small disc that generates electric charges (milli-volts) when pressed. (The prefix "piezo" - is the
Greek Terminology for 'press' or 'squeeze'). Many devices use this piezoelectric effect to measure changes
in pressure, acceleration, temperature, strain, or force by converting them to an electrical charge and are called as piezoelectric
devices. Pierre Curie discovered the piezoelectric effect in 1880. They have been successfully used in various applications, such
as in medical, aerospace & nuclear instrumentation. Even though piezoelectric sensors are electromechanical systems that react
to compression, and the sensing elements show almost zero deflection. This gives piezoelectric sensors ruggedness, an
extremely high natural frequency and an excellent linearity over a wide amplitude range. Additionally, piezoelectric technology
is insensitive to electromagnetic fields and radiation, enabling measurements under harsh conditions. Some materials used
(especially gallium phosphate or tourmaline) are extremely stable at high temperatures, enabling sensors to have a working
range of up to 1000 °C.
Fig. 1 A Piezo-electric sensor
B. Piezogenerators
Recently, energy harvesting using piezoelectric energy generation has become the focus of much research. The Israel
Institute of Techology, Technion[2], in collaboration with Innowattech, used piezoelectric generators on a 1 km stretch of a 4
lane busy highway and generated 200 kWh of electricity. The setup consists of a ten-meter strip of asphalt, with generators
lying underneath, and batteries in the road’s proximity. The generated electric charges were accumulated and used to light up
lanes during night. On extending this set up to a 4 lane highway, electric energy sufficient to handle 2500 house hold
consumptions could well be generated.[3]
C. Piezogenerators & IoT
Our concept of IoT using Piezosensors is by connecting a Piezosensor to a Raspberry Pi2. Under Impact load, the
Piezosensor will generate electric current, which should be converted into analog signals for processing with the Raspberry Pi2.
The output from a single piezosensor is inadequate to use it for callibration. So there is a need to design a Piezomat Assembly
by connecting a set of Piezosensors in series on two layers. When the Piezomat Assembly is callibrated for Impact load applied
and data received on Raspberry Pi2, we can use it as a Smart Sensor on Bridge Deck slabs.[4]-[6].
Fig. 2. A Piezo-electric sensor connected to a Raspberry Pi2
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3. IV. METHODOLOGY
The methodology adopted includes
1) Structural Design Components
2) Experimental Setup
3) FEM Analysis
4) IoT Components
A. Phase I
1). Structural Design Components
1. Design of Piezomat which is the Assembly of Piezoelectric sensors.
2. Calibration of Piezomat to give deflection properties.
3. Design of Beams for Piezomat installation.
4. Beam Loading and corresponding Output deflection values connected to Raspberry Pi 2.
5. Remote Monitoring of the performance of beam.
6. Bridge Deck design and analysis using FEM.
2). Experimental Setup
A proper model for the Piezomat to be placed inside the concrete beam has to be designed. The Piezomat has to be embedded
between two shock absorbing elastic layers that can enable it to undergo deformation to generate electrical output. A resistant
elastic covering layer needs to be provided on top. A standard mix design will be adopted all through the project. Casting of
beams with embedded piezomat will be done with outlet probes properly positioned to take readings.
3). FEM Analysis
Wheel movement on beams need to be simulated to relate to Dynamic testing. Piezosensors give electrical output only on
impact and not on static loads. Concrete cylinders will be rolled over the beams and the output from Piezomat will be collected
on a Raspberry Pi 2. The piezomat and its sensitivity to Impact load needs to verified and validated. The Test Beam is designed
on FEM and loaded with similar loading. Analysis and results are obtained. Bridge deck slabs are designed and Tested for
dynamic wheel loading using FEM . The co-related Test Beam with Piezomat on FEM needs to be extrapolated for
Analysis of Bridge Decks using FEM.
4). IoT Components
1. Data output by Piezoelectric sensors collected on Raspberry Pi 2 will be analyzed.
2. The system will be trained to behave as a Smart Structure.
3. Structure design for communication with Raspberry Pi 2 and IoT.
4. Extrapolation for strength and serviceability will be programmed.
5. IoT implementation will be made available as a software for the piezoelectric sensors utilized, for all
subsequent implementations.
B. II Phase
Alternate Energy Conversion Systems will be studied and explored and the maximum efficient system will
be adopted.The main aim is to make the whole system "self-sufficient" for energy generation and to monitor
it by IoT. Statistical study on various types of Bridges and the possibility of IoT Monitoring, along with an
efficient Alternate Energy Conversion System, is the possible outcome of this research proposal.
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4. (Output connected to Raspberry Pi2)
Fig. 3. Flow Diagram for IoT of Bridge Deck
V. STRATEGY FOR DEPLOYMENT
A. Anticipated Challenges
 Theoretical possibility will be questioned by practicing Civil Engineers.
 Possibility of Alternate Energy Conversions may be questioned.
 Cost incurred may be questioned.
B. Mitigation Plan
 Live demonstration on piezomat assembly responding to load and remote monitoring of data by IoT.
 Live demonstration of lamp glowing by Energy conversion. Impact Energy from wheel load on Bridges being
converted to Electrical energy to make the CFL lamp glow.
 Financial benefits clearly outlined.
C. Opportunities for Knowledge Transfer
 The success of IoT of Bridges could trigger the use of IoT to other Building Infrastructure.
 Remote monitoring needs to be included in the planning phase of projects requiring huge investments.
 The monitoring could be made availabe as an Andriod Application. ( Doctors can monitor their patients (in-absentia)
on their post-operative recovery through Mobile Apps. Similarly, Civil Engineers can also monitor and Manage their
projects remotely using Mobile Apps).
Try diff. models of
Piezosensors
Design of PiezoMat
( Done by ECE Team )
Explore methods to
calibrate Piezosensor
Test Beam casting
with Piezomat
Mix design Method of embedding Piezomat
Method of testing Piezomat
Data Collection
Data Analysis
(Load Volts)
L
Design of Test Beam
Analysis for imposed load
Def Volts
Data hosted on web
IoT of Beam
IoT FEM
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5. VI. CONCLUSIONS
IoT for Civil Infrastructures is introduced in this paper. An inter-disciplinary approach of Project specific Piezomat Assembly
Design, innovative Sensor embedding method, FEM Analysis and IoT integration is presented. Research on Alternate Energy
Conversion system and a very successful model for practical implementation will have great significance. This could
contribute to better livelihood in remote areas in India where there is great demand for electrical energy for better living. The
findings will significantly contribute to research and development and when put to practical use, will enable practicing Civil
Engineers to monitor and manage projects through IoT .
REFERENCES
[1] Prof. Bernhard Elsener, Internet of Things for Civil Engg Structures, ETH Zurich, Institute for Buidings Materials, Planning and Development NEWs,
http://planningandbuildingcontroltoday.co.uk/planning-development/internet-things-civil-engineering/20468.
[2] Youyuan Lu, Hongyan Ma, Zongjin Li , 2014, Civil Infrastructures Connected internet of Things by Researchgate publications: CACE Volume 2, Issue
1 Jan. 2014 PP. 16-19 www.cace.org @ American V-King Scientific Publishing
[3] Ovidiu Sandru, Israel Highway Equipped With Piezoelectric Generator System, October 6, 2009 Piezoelectric, The green optimistic,
www.greenoptimistic.com
[4] B. F. Spencer, Jr. Nathan M. and Anne M. Newmark , Structural Health Monitoring of Civil Infrastructure: from Research to Engineering Practice,
Smart Structures Technology Laboratory (SSTL)
http://www-smartinfrastructure.eng.cam.ac.uk/files/20130118CSICSeminarProfBill Spencerpresentation.pdf
[5] Yan Yu, Hang Liu,Dongsheng Li , Xingquan Mao , Jinping Ou, 2013, Bridge Deflection Measurement Using Wireless Mems Inclination Sensor Systems,
International Journal On Smart Sensing And Intelligent Systems, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013.
[6] Piezo-Smart Roads, International Journal of Enhanced Research in Science Technology & Engineering, ISSN: 2319-7463,Vol. 2 Issue 6, June-2013, pp:
(65-70), Available online at: www.erpublications.com
ISBN:978-1534910799
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Proceedings of ICAER-2016
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