B4 - Week 5: Project Description

I chose to write a research paper by myself on structural health monitoring (SHM) systems in civil and architectural fields. This refers to different types of sensors being applied to the structural system to be monitored such that they can record data relevant to the properties they are collecting data on. There are a great multitude of sensor types employed to determine the health, or the condition of members in a structure. This means that the data collected relates to the different forces and scenarios that occur during the loading process. Some examples are strain gauges monitoring the strain induced in a structure over time; temperature gauges monitoring spikes in thermal energy where forces are so concentrated heat is generated due to internal macro and micro structures reckoning of forces; piezoelectric sensors that can record vibrational data generated by live loads over a time period and by analyzing the data through software filtering and manipulation relevant load cycle information can be gleaned.
I would like to focus on what this process is intended to improve and how it can be implemented in new and existing structures. Also the different data analysis methods employed to understand the different types of collected data and draw useful conclusions. These evaluations about the quality of the different members allows for real time understanding of when maintenance is required and ultimately preventing failure sequences by early detection of exacerbating or deteriorating conditions. For example corrosion sensors can detect the level of corrosion and predict the longevity of the member if the detrimental situation is not addressed. This is not limited to corrosion but can be applicable to many different properties of materials and how these properties are affected for different load states as well as failure states (failure state is defined as a system being unable to perform task it was designed to perform due to proliferation or propagation of defective condition).

Comments:
Hamad Al-Sulaiti is writing a research paper about hyperspectral remote sensing technology which is a tremendously interesting evolution in spatial dimensional scanning that utilizes electromagnetic waves in different spectrums that is reflected off of existing structures such that valid dimensional data of a space can be collected. With that a point cloud can be generated to create a 3D model that can be used as a template for a building design. I think this exploration of using many different types of electromagnetic waves will allow for unprecedented levels of dimensional accuracy, but also for determining layer composition and dimensions of materials physically behind others.

Jinhao Liang is researching the relationship between green building systems (systems that operate such that they do not or advantageously impact the local environment) and intelligent systems in buildings. This is interesting as it describes where intelligent systems is allowing for breakthroughs in how we can improve environmental systems by monitoring conditions and controlling different systems to positively affect those conditions. I feel that these two topics are related in a number of unique ways but the main focus is in terms of improving environmental systems and controlling internal conditions with intelligent systems.

Justin Hileman is using this project to launch a deeper exploration of his senior design project which is designing a community center for individuals with autism. This is a very unique project because it introduces a number of non-conventional building precedents related to the different needs of persons with autism. For example he referenced the need for a sophisticated lighting control system to cater to autistic people that have light sensitivity. This would be a great project to apply BIM to because it will allow for a deeper understanding of the project requirements to be developed by contractors. It would also necessitate greater levels of communication between the different entities involved in designing and constructing the building.

Outline:

I.       Structural Health Monitoring Systems

A.     Describe the data collection and data analysis used to determine structural health.

1.     Types of sensors used and how they are placed on the members as well as position on the structure.

Piezoelectric Sensors	Elasto-magnetic Sensors
Fiber optic Sensors	Tiltmeters
Anemometer Sensors	Level Sensors
Temperature Sensors	Total Stations
Strain Gauges	Seismometers
Accelerometers	Barometers
Displacement Transducers	Hygrometers
Global Positioning Systems	Pluviometers
Weigh-in-motion Systems	Video Cameras
Corrosion Sensors

2.     Methods of data analysis for the vibrational force history -- generally sinusoidal analytics or trigonometry used to describe wave behavior.

a)     Explore additional types of data treatment and methods of manipulating data to find useful load cycling patterns.

3.     What are the greatest benefits that this system can provide a structure and what detriments does this system have to a structure

a)     Ability to predict failure and increase in structural safety.

b)     Accurate predictions can allow for materials to be ordered and arrive before the structure fails decreasing affects on utility.

c)      How much does this system cost (when is it cost effective to implement this system?)

B.     History of development and implementation and emergence of SHM (structural health monitoring) movement as necessary and beneficial practice.

1.     Contemporary applications and professional reception (is this practice being endorsed by any national or international building codes or building code legislation)

a)     Is this endorsed by official building code entities?

b)     Is this endorsed by practicing CAE engineers and contractors?

c)      Are there any drawbacks to designing a system or implementing a system.

d)     How useful is this technology (does it save lives/money)?

e)     How does this technology affect the owners/clients?

2.     The origins of this practice and how it was developed

a)     Where was the practice first employed.

b)     Difficulties met in creating practice.

c)      Probably done a few decades ago, how where sensors and data collection different (better or probably worse)

C.     Limitations of system and current progress to improve system accuracy.

1.     Known error sequences and remedy or progress in remediation

a)     Interpreted error from flawed data analysis and data filter malfunctions

b)     Sensor error and issues transmitting data

(1)      Signal  interference and loss of quality/data

(2)      Signal continuity and interruption in communication

(3)      This will require some artificial intelligence in the form of software that would monitor data that is collected, but also able to automatically troubleshoot and repair malfunctioning transmissions

2.     Quantities of data and limitations of contemporary computer and data collection systems

a)     Another relation to the class theme of intelligent buildings in terms of smart software that has the ability to diagnose itself and have a programmed understanding of collected data.

b)     Different emerging technologies that could allow for SHM to improve beyond current progress