Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Experimental validation and performance evaluation of high-performance devices based on a low-noise MEMS accelerometer

Version 1 : Received: 9 February 2024 / Approved: 9 February 2024 / Online: 12 February 2024 (08:13:15 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Crognale, M.; Rinaldi, C.; Potenza, F.; Gattulli, V.; Colarieti, A.; Franchi, F. Developing and Testing High-Performance SHM Sensors Mounting Low-Noise MEMS Accelerometers. Sensors 2024, 24, 2435. Crognale, M.; Rinaldi, C.; Potenza, F.; Gattulli, V.; Colarieti, A.; Franchi, F. Developing and Testing High-Performance SHM Sensors Mounting Low-Noise MEMS Accelerometers. Sensors 2024, 24, 2435.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in adopting novel sensing technologies for the continuous monitoring of structural systems. In this respect, Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors are widely used in several applications, including Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Thanks to their significantly lower cost, ease of installation on the structure, and lower power consumption, they enable extensive, pervasive, and battery-less monitoring systems. This paper presents an innovative high-performance device for SHM applications, based on a low-noise triaxial MEMS accelerometer, providing a guideline and insightful results about the opportunities and capabilities of these devices. Sensor nodes have been designed, developed, and calibrated to meet structural vibration monitoring and modal identification requirements. These components include a protocol for reliable command dissemination through the network and data collection, and improvements to software components for data pipelining, jitter control, and high-frequency sampling. Devices were tested in the lab using shaker excitation. Results demonstrate that MEMS-based accelerometers are a feasible solution to replace expensive piezo-based accelerometers. Deploying MEMS is promising to minimize sensor node energy consumption. Time and frequency domain analysis show that MEMS can correctly detect modal frequencies, useful parameters for damage detection. The acquired data from the test bed were used to examine the functioning of the network, data transmission, and data quality. The proposed architecture has been successfully deployed in a real case study to monitor the structural health of the Marcus Aurelius Exedra Hall within the Capitoline Museum of Rome. The performance robustness was demonstrated and the results showed that the wired sensor network provides dense and accurate vibration data for structural continuous monitoring.

Keywords

Structural Health Monitoring; SHM-board; ultra-low-power micro-controller; Internet of things

Subject

Engineering, Civil Engineering

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.