Open Competition 1 - Information Technology

Wireless Structural Health Monitoring System

Sponsor: Sensametrics Inc.

• Project Performance Period: 10/1/2004 - 3/31/2007
• Total project (est.): $2,000,000.00
• Requested ATP funds: $1,641,316.00

A combination of factors - recent catastrophic natural disasters, terrorist activities, rapidly deteriorating infrastructure, and increasing costs for new construction - points to the need for a robust, low-cost, low-power, and high-performance autonomous wireless monitoring system for the "health" and safety of buildings, bridges, and other civil structures. Sensametrics proposes to develop a prototype system that provides comprehensive monitoring through a high-density wireless sensor network with diverse types of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based sensors. The system will report day-to-day information on the status of structures as well as critical failure information in extreme-load situations, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or explosions - and it will accommodate emerging biological and chemical sensor technologies. Such comprehensive structural monitoring capabilities will enable designers and engineers to design more reliable and economical structures that meet performance criteria without reliance on field testing or laboratory experimentation, conduct building inspections on an as-needed rather than scheduled basis, minimize catastrophic failures in the construction process and evaluate the effects of construction on adjacent structures, generate appropriate mitigation strategies in the event of a terrorist attack, and accurately assess damage after such an attack. Existing building monitoring systems are typically hard-wired, sparse, expensive, and provide only limited data. Sensametrics' wireless system would potentially be inexpensive and extremely versatile, enabling the widespread use of clusters of different types of sensors with intelligent on-board processing of sensor data. A wireless structural health monitoring system using advanced technological components and tools has never been designed or implemented, so high risks are attached to developing and testing such a product. The proposed project combines structural engineering, network technology, embedded software, decision support software, distributed support software, and manufacturing. The Sensametrics team will use its core expertise and experience to design the sensing unit and wireless sensing network, develop embedded damage assessment algorithms, and create the network services and decision support environment. Sensing unit prototype manufacturing will be outsourced with the assistance of Millennial Net, and Weidlinger Associates will aid with installation of wireless sensing units. The high technical risks that characterize the proposed project have prevented Sensametrics from obtaining venture capital to develop a prototype. With funding from ATP for a proof-of-concept effort, the company can go on to secure private investment for future commercialization. If successful, the base technology would be applicable not only to bridges, dams and major buildings but also industrial facilities such as chemical plants, oil refineries, biotech and pharmaceutical plants, high-precision manufacturing plants and other facilities requiring continuous, real-time monitoring of large areas.

For project information:

Garo K. Kiremidjian, (650) 941-5692
garo@sensametrics.com

ATP Project Manager

Eric Samuelson, (301) 975-6393
eric.samuelson@nist.gov