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Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2024) | Viewed by 32057

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: structural dynamics; sensor-based structural monitoring; infrastructure damage detection; bridge monitoring; structural evaluation using vibrations; structural monitoring of bridge and facilities

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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: structural dynamics and assessments; railway track monitoring; railway bridge monitoring; machine learning for SHM
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
Interests: structure assessment; modelling and analysis of RC structures; bridge health monitoring; seismic protection of structure; sensor-based monitoring; assessment and preservation of cultural heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: bridge health monitoring and assessments; weigh-in-motion; sensor-based monitoring; structural dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the growing demand for infrastructure and transportation structure facilities, the requirement for structural health monitoring (SHM) of old structures is increasing. For that reason, this issue focuses on structural health monitoring using the latest sensing technology toward developing and disseminating high-quality research. The main target of this issue is to bring together and share research relating innovative SHM methods that use the latest sensing technologies to produce effective and reliable techniques. With the help of latest technologies, there is a need for effective and reliable SHM systems that can supplement or replace traditional manual inspections. The research in the field of sensor-based SHM includes the latest experimental and theoretical studies, findings and computational investigations that may improve existing or novel SHM systems. All studies covering (but not exclusive to) the topics and fields below are welcome in this issue:

  • Structure health monitoring;
  • Sensor monitoring;
  • Structure performance assessment;
  • Industrial structures monitoring;
  • Intelligent monitoring systems;
  • Damage detection;
  • Weigh-in-motion systems;
  • Novel SHM techniques;
  • Drone-based monitoring;
  • Scour monitoring;
  • Foundation/support damage detection;
  • Environmental effect detection;
  • Artificial intelligence;
  • Modal estimation;
  • Frequency-based analysis;
  • Structural dynamics;
  • Computational modeling and digital twinning;
  • Laboratory validation;
  • Disaster management;
  • Internet of Things;
  • Remote sensing;
  • Road profile detection.

Dr. Muhammad Arslan Khan
Dr. Abdollah Malekjafarian
Prof. Dr. Giorgio Monti
Prof. Dr. Eugene J. OBrien
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5811 KiB  
Article
Efficient Vibration Measurement and Modal Shape Visualization Based on Dynamic Deviations of Structural Edge Profiles
by Andong Zhu, Xinlong Gong, Jie Zhou, Xiaolong Zhang and Dashan Zhang
Sensors 2024, 24(13), 4413; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24134413 - 8 Jul 2024
Viewed by 276
Abstract
As a non-contact method, vision-based measurement for vibration extraction and modal parameter identification has attracted much attention. In most cases, artificial textures are crucial elements for visual tracking, and this feature limits the application of vision-based vibration measurement on textureless targets. As a [...] Read more.
As a non-contact method, vision-based measurement for vibration extraction and modal parameter identification has attracted much attention. In most cases, artificial textures are crucial elements for visual tracking, and this feature limits the application of vision-based vibration measurement on textureless targets. As a computation technique for visualizing subtle variations in videos, the video magnification technique can analyze modal responses and visualize modal shapes, but the efficiency is low, and the processing results contain clipping artifacts. This paper proposes a novel method for the application of a modal test. In contrast to the deviation magnification that exaggerates subtle geometric deviations from only a single image, the proposed method extracts vibration signals with sub-pixel accuracy on edge positions by changing the perspective of deviations from space to timeline. Then, modal shapes are visualized by decoupling all spatial vibrations following the vibration theory of continuous linear systems. Without relying on artificial textures and motion magnification, the proposed method achieves high operating efficiency and avoids clipping artifacts. Finally, the effectiveness and practical value of the proposed method are validated by two laboratory experiments on a cantilever beam and an arch dam model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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23 pages, 11691 KiB  
Article
Cost-Effective Data Acquisition Systems for Advanced Structural Health Monitoring
by Kamer Özdemir and Ahu Kömeç Mutlu
Sensors 2024, 24(13), 4269; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24134269 - 30 Jun 2024
Viewed by 526
Abstract
With the growing demand for infrastructure and transportation facilities, the need for advanced structural health monitoring (SHM) systems is critical. This study introduces two innovative, cost-effective, standalone, and open-source data acquisition devices designed to enhance SHM through the latest sensing technologies. The first [...] Read more.
With the growing demand for infrastructure and transportation facilities, the need for advanced structural health monitoring (SHM) systems is critical. This study introduces two innovative, cost-effective, standalone, and open-source data acquisition devices designed to enhance SHM through the latest sensing technologies. The first device, termed CEDAS_acc, integrates the ADXL355 MEMS accelerometer with a RaspberryPi mini-computer, ideal for measuring strong ground motions and assessing structural modal properties during forced vibration tests and structural monitoring of mid-rise buildings. The second device, CEDAS_geo, incorporates the SM24 geophone sensor with a Raspberry Pi, designed for weak ground motion measurements, making it suitable for seismograph networks, seismological research, and early warning systems. Both devices function as acceleration/velocity Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) and standalone data loggers, featuring hardware components such as a single-board mini-computer, sensors, Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), and micro-SD cards housed in protective casings. The CEDAS_acc includes a triaxial MEMS accelerometer with three ADCs, while the CEDAS_geo uses horizontal and vertical geophone elements with an ADC board. To validate these devices, rigorous tests were conducted. Offset Test, conducted by placing the sensor on a leveled flat surface in six orientations, demonstrating the accelerometer’s ability to provide accurate measurements using gravity as a reference; Frequency Response Test, performed at the Gebze Technical University Earthquake and Structure Laboratory (GTU-ESL), comparing the devices’ responses to the GURALP-5TDE reference sensor, with CEDAS_acc evaluated on a shaking table and CEDAS_geo’s performance assessed using ambient vibration records; and Noise Test, executed in a low-noise rural area to determine the intrinsic noise of CEDAS_geo, showing its capability to capture vibrations lower than ambient noise levels. Further field tests were conducted on a 10-story reinforced concrete building in Gaziantep, Turkey, instrumented with 8 CEDAS_acc and 1 CEDAS_geo devices. The building’s response to a magnitude 3.2 earthquake and ambient vibrations was analyzed, comparing results to the GURALP-5TDE reference sensors and demonstrating the devices’ accuracy in capturing peak accelerations and modal frequencies with minimal deviations. The study also introduced the Record Analyzer (RECANA) web application for managing data analysis on CEDAS devices, supporting various data formats, and providing tools for filtering, calibrating, and exporting data. This comprehensive study presents valuable, practical solutions for SHM, enhancing accessibility, reliability, and efficiency in structural and seismic monitoring applications and offering robust alternatives to traditional, costlier systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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28 pages, 8390 KiB  
Article
Bridging Convolutional Neural Networks and Transformers for Efficient Crack Detection in Concrete Building Structures
by Dhirendra Prasad Yadav, Bhisham Sharma, Shivank Chauhan and Imed Ben Dhaou
Sensors 2024, 24(13), 4257; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24134257 - 30 Jun 2024
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Detecting cracks in building structures is an essential practice that ensures safety, promotes longevity, and maintains the economic value of the built environment. In the past, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques have been used to enhance classification accuracy. However, the [...] Read more.
Detecting cracks in building structures is an essential practice that ensures safety, promotes longevity, and maintains the economic value of the built environment. In the past, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques have been used to enhance classification accuracy. However, the conventional CNN (convolutional neural network) methods incur high computational costs owing to their extensive number of trainable parameters and tend to extract only high-dimensional shallow features that may not comprehensively represent crack characteristics. We proposed a novel convolution and composite attention transformer network (CCTNet) model to address these issues. CCTNet enhances crack identification by processing more input pixels and combining convolution channel attention with window-based self-attention mechanisms. This dual approach aims to leverage the localized feature extraction capabilities of CNNs with the global contextual understanding afforded by self-attention mechanisms. Additionally, we applied an improved cross-attention module within CCTNet to increase the interaction and integration of features across adjacent windows. The performance of CCTNet on the Historical Building Crack2019, SDTNET2018, and proposed DS3 has a precision of 98.60%, 98.93%, and 99.33%, respectively. Furthermore, the training validation loss of the proposed model is close to zero. In addition, the AUC (area under the curve) is 0.99 and 0.98 for the Historical Building Crack2019 and SDTNET2018, respectively. CCTNet not only outperforms existing methodologies but also sets a new standard for the accurate, efficient, and reliable detection of cracks in building structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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20 pages, 10259 KiB  
Article
A Feasibility Study on Extension of Measurement Distance in Vision Sensor Using Super-Resolution for Dynamic Response Measurement
by Dooyong Cho and Junho Gong
Sensors 2023, 23(20), 8496; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23208496 - 16 Oct 2023
Viewed by 831
Abstract
The current civil infrastructure conditions can be assessed through the measurement of displacement using conventional contact-type sensors. To address the disadvantages of traditional sensors, vision-based sensor measurement systems have been derived in numerous studies and proven as an alternative to traditional sensors. Despite [...] Read more.
The current civil infrastructure conditions can be assessed through the measurement of displacement using conventional contact-type sensors. To address the disadvantages of traditional sensors, vision-based sensor measurement systems have been derived in numerous studies and proven as an alternative to traditional sensors. Despite the benefits of the vision sensor, it is well known that the accuracy of the vision-based displacement measurement is largely dependent on the camera extrinsic or intrinsic parameters. In this study, the feasibility study of a deep learning-based single image super-resolution (SISR) technique in a vision-based sensor system is conducted to alleviate the low spatial resolution of image frames at long measurement distance ranges. Additionally, its robustness is evaluated using shaking table tests. As a result, it is confirmed that the SISR can reconstruct definite images of natural targets resulting in an extension of the measurement distance range. Additionally, it is determined that the SISR mitigates displacement measurement error in the vision sensor-based measurement system. Based on this fundamental study of SISR in the feature point-based measurement system, further analysis such as modal analysis, damage detection, and so forth should be continued in order to explore the functionality of SR images by applying low-resolution displacement measurement footage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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17 pages, 7204 KiB  
Article
Method for Diagnosing Bearing Faults in Electromechanical Equipment Based on Improved Prototypical Networks
by Zilong Wang, Honghai Shen, Wenzhuo Xiong, Xueming Zhang and Jinghua Hou
Sensors 2023, 23(9), 4485; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23094485 - 4 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1837
Abstract
Due to the complexity of electromechanical equipment and the difficulties in obtaining large-scale health monitoring datasets, as well as the long-tailed distribution of data, existing methods ignore certain characteristics of health monitoring data. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a [...] Read more.
Due to the complexity of electromechanical equipment and the difficulties in obtaining large-scale health monitoring datasets, as well as the long-tailed distribution of data, existing methods ignore certain characteristics of health monitoring data. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a method for the fault diagnosis of rolling bearings in electromechanical equipment based on an improved prototypical network—the weight prototypical networks (WPorNet). The main contributions of this paper are as follows: (1) the prototypical networks, which perform well on small-sample classification tasks, were improved by calculating the different levels of influence of support sample distributions in order to achieve the prototypical calculation. The change in sample influence was calculated using the Kullback–Leibler divergence of the sample distribution. The influence change in a specific sample can be measured by assessing how much the distribution changes in the absence of that sample; and (2) The Gramian Angular Field (GAF) algorithm was used to transform one-dimensional time series into two-dimensional vibration images, which greatly improved the application effect of the 2D convolutional neural network (CNN). Through experiments on MAFAULDA and CWRU bearing datasets, it was shown that this network effectively solves the shortcomings of a small number of valid samples and a long-tail distribution in health monitoring data, it enhances the dependency between the samples and the global data, it improves the model’s feature extraction ability, and it enhances the accuracy of model classification. Compared with the prototypical network, the improved network model increased the performance of the 2-way 10-shot, 2-way 20-shot, and 2-way 50-shot classification tasks by 5.23%, 5.74%, and 4.37%, respectively, and it increased the performance of the 4-way 10-shot, 4-way 20-shot, and 4-way 50-shot classification tasks by 12.02%, 10.47%, and 4.66%, respectively. Experimental results show that the improved prototypical network model has higher sample classification accuracy and stronger anti-interference ability compared with traditional small-sample classification models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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14 pages, 2741 KiB  
Article
Large Displacement Detection Using Improved Lucas–Kanade Optical Flow
by Saleh Al-Qudah and Mijia Yang
Sensors 2023, 23(6), 3152; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23063152 - 15 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2382
Abstract
Displacement is critical when it comes to the evaluation of civil structures. Large displacement can be dangerous. There are many methods that can be used to monitor structural displacements, but every method has its benefits and limitations. Lucas–Kanade (LK) optical flow is recognized [...] Read more.
Displacement is critical when it comes to the evaluation of civil structures. Large displacement can be dangerous. There are many methods that can be used to monitor structural displacements, but every method has its benefits and limitations. Lucas–Kanade (LK) optical flow is recognized as a superior computer vision displacement tracking method, but it only applies to small displacement monitoring. An upgraded LK optical flow method is developed in this study and used to detect large displacement motions. One motion controlled by a multiple purpose testing system (MTS) and a free-falling experiment were designed to verify the developed method. The results provided by the upgraded LK optical flow method showed 97 percent accuracy when compared with the movement of the MTS piston. In order to capture the free-falling large displacement, the pyramid and warp optical flow methods are included in the upgraded LK optical flow method and compared with the results of template matching. The warping algorithm with the second derivative Sobel operator provides accurate displacements with 96% average accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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24 pages, 26890 KiB  
Article
Model Updating Concept Using Bridge Weigh-in-Motion Data
by Doron Hekič, Andrej Anžlin, Maja Kreslin, Aleš Žnidarič and Peter Češarek
Sensors 2023, 23(4), 2067; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23042067 - 12 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2068
Abstract
Finite element (FE) model updating of bridges is based on the measured modal parameters and less frequently on the measured structural response under a known load. Until recently, the FE model updating did not consider strain measurements from sensors installed for weighing vehicles [...] Read more.
Finite element (FE) model updating of bridges is based on the measured modal parameters and less frequently on the measured structural response under a known load. Until recently, the FE model updating did not consider strain measurements from sensors installed for weighing vehicles with bridge weigh-in-motion (B-WIM) systems. A 50-year-old multi-span concrete highway viaduct, renovated between 2017 and 2019, was equipped with continuous monitoring system with over 200 sensors, and a B-WIM system. In the most heavily instrumented span, the maximum measured longitudinal strains induced by the full-speed calibration vehicle passages were compared with the modelled strains. Based on the sensitivity study results, three variables that affected its overall stiffness were updated: Young’s modulus adjustment factor of all structural elements, and two anchorage reduction factors that considered the interaction between the superstructure and non-structural elements. The analysis confirmed the importance of the initial manual FE model updating to correctly reflect the non-structural elements during the automatic nonlinear optimisation. It also demonstrated a successful use of pseudo-static B-WIM loading data during the model updating process and the potential to extend the proposed approach to using random B-WIM-weighed vehicles for FE model updating and long-term monitoring of structural parameters and load-dependent phenomena. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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24 pages, 10731 KiB  
Article
Identification of Vibration Frequencies of Railway Bridges from Train-Mounted Sensors Using Wavelet Transformation
by Emrah Erduran, Fredrik Marøy Pettersen, Semih Gonen and Albert Lau
Sensors 2023, 23(3), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23031191 - 20 Jan 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2150
Abstract
This article presents a novel methodology to extract the bridge frequencies from the vibrations recorded on train-mounted sensors. Continuous wavelet transform is used to distinguish the bridge frequencies from the other peaks that are visible in the Fourier amplitude spectrum of the accelerations [...] Read more.
This article presents a novel methodology to extract the bridge frequencies from the vibrations recorded on train-mounted sensors. Continuous wavelet transform is used to distinguish the bridge frequencies from the other peaks that are visible in the Fourier amplitude spectrum of the accelerations recorded on train bogies. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical case studies. For this, a detailed three-dimensional finite element model that can capture the vibration characteristics of the bridge, track, and train is created, and each component of the model is separately validated. The train model used is a three-dimensional multi-degree-of-freedom system that can simulate the pitching and rolling behavior. The train was then virtually driven over the bridge at different speeds and under varying track irregularities to evaluate the robustness of the proposed method in extracting bridge frequencies from train-mounted sensors under different conditions. The proposed methodology is shown to be capable of identifying bridge modal frequencies even for aggressive track irregularity profiles and relatively high speeds of trains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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19 pages, 5663 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Digital Image Correlation Based on Speckle Pattern Projection for Non-Invasive Vibrational Analysis
by Alvaro Souto Janeiro, Antonio Fernández López, Marcos Chimeno Manguan and Pablo Pérez-Merino
Sensors 2022, 22(24), 9766; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22249766 - 13 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2247
Abstract
Non-contact vibration measurements are relevant for non-invasively characterizing the mechanical behavior of structures. This paper presents a novel methodology for full-field vibrational analysis at high frequencies using the three-dimensional digital image correlation technique combined with the projection of a speckle pattern. The method [...] Read more.
Non-contact vibration measurements are relevant for non-invasively characterizing the mechanical behavior of structures. This paper presents a novel methodology for full-field vibrational analysis at high frequencies using the three-dimensional digital image correlation technique combined with the projection of a speckle pattern. The method includes stereo calibration and image processing routines for accurate three-dimensional data acquisition. Quantitative analysis allows the extraction of several deformation parameters, such as the cross-correlation coefficients, shape and intensity, as well as the out-of-plane displacement fields and mode shapes. The potential of the methodology is demonstrated on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle wing made of composite material, followed by experimental validation with reference accelerometers. The results obtained with the projected three-dimensional digital image correlation show a percentage of error below 5% compared with the measures of accelerometers, achieving, therefore, high sensitivity to detect the dynamic modes in structures made of composite material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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21 pages, 45014 KiB  
Article
Contactless Deformation Monitoring of Bridges with Spatio-Temporal Resolution: Profile Scanning and Microwave Interferometry
by Florian Schill, Chris Michel and Andrei Firus
Sensors 2022, 22(23), 9562; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22239562 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2315
Abstract
Against the background of an aging infrastructure, the condition assessment process of existing bridges is becoming an ever more challenging task for structural engineers. Short-term measurements and structural monitoring are valuable tools that can lead to a more accurate assessment of the remaining [...] Read more.
Against the background of an aging infrastructure, the condition assessment process of existing bridges is becoming an ever more challenging task for structural engineers. Short-term measurements and structural monitoring are valuable tools that can lead to a more accurate assessment of the remaining service life of structures. In this context, contactless sensors have great potential, as a wide range of applications can already be covered with relatively little effort and without having to interrupt traffic. In particular, profile scanning and microwave interferometry, have become increasingly important in the research field of bridge measurement and monitoring in recent years. In contrast to other contactless displacement sensors, both technologies enable a spatially distributed detection of absolute structural displacements. In addition, their high sampling rate enables the detection of the dynamic structural behaviour. This paper analyses the two sensor types in detail and discusses their advantages and disadvantages for the deformation monitoring of bridges. It focuses on a conceptual comparison between the two technologies and then discusses the main challenges related to their application in real-world structures in operation, highlighting the respective limitations of both sensors. The findings are illustrated with measurement results at a railway bridge in operation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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19 pages, 6445 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Volcanic Cloud Components Using Machine Learning Techniques and SEVIRI Infrared Images
by Federica Torrisi, Eleonora Amato, Claudia Corradino, Salvatore Mangiagli and Ciro Del Negro
Sensors 2022, 22(20), 7712; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22207712 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2032
Abstract
Volcanic explosive eruptions inject several different types of particles and gasses into the atmosphere, giving rise to the formation and propagation of volcanic clouds. These can pose a serious threat to the health of people living near an active volcano and cause damage [...] Read more.
Volcanic explosive eruptions inject several different types of particles and gasses into the atmosphere, giving rise to the formation and propagation of volcanic clouds. These can pose a serious threat to the health of people living near an active volcano and cause damage to air traffic. Many efforts have been devoted to monitor and characterize volcanic clouds. Satellite infrared (IR) sensors have been shown to be well suitable for volcanic cloud monitoring tasks. Here, a machine learning (ML) approach was developed in Google Earth Engine (GEE) to detect a volcanic cloud and to classify its main components using satellite infrared images. We implemented a supervised support vector machine (SVM) algorithm to segment a combination of thermal infrared (TIR) bands acquired by the geostationary MSG-SEVIRI (Meteosat Second Generation—Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager). This ML algorithm was applied to some of the paroxysmal explosive events that occurred at Mt. Etna between 2020 and 2022. We found that the ML approach using a combination of TIR bands from the geostationary satellite is very efficient, achieving an accuracy of 0.86, being able to properly detect, track and map automatically volcanic ash clouds in near real-time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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18 pages, 6871 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Temperature Variations and Extreme Temperature Differences for the Corrugated Web Steel Beams under Solar Radiation
by Shiji Huang, Chenzhi Cai, Yunfeng Zou, Xuhui He and Tieming Zhou
Sensors 2022, 22(12), 4557; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22124557 - 16 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1773
Abstract
Due to the coupling impacts of solar radiation, wind, air temperature and other environmental parameters, the temperature field of steel structures is significantly non-uniform during their construction and service stages. Corrugated web steel beams have gained popularity in structural engineering during the last [...] Read more.
Due to the coupling impacts of solar radiation, wind, air temperature and other environmental parameters, the temperature field of steel structures is significantly non-uniform during their construction and service stages. Corrugated web steel beams have gained popularity in structural engineering during the last few decades, while their thermal actions are barely investigated. In this paper, both experimental and numerical investigations were conducted to reveal the non-uniform features and time variation of the corrugated web steel beams under various environmental conditions. The heat-transfer simulation model was established and verified using the experimental temperature data. Both the experiment and simulation results demonstrate that the steel beam has a complicated and non-uniform temperature field. Moreover, 2-year continuous numerical simulations of steel beams’ thermal actions regarding eight different cities were carried out to investigate the long-term temperature variations. Finally, based on the long-term simulation results and extreme value analysis (EVA), the representative values of steel beams’ daily temperature difference with a 50-year return period were determined. The extreme temperature difference of the steel beam in Harbin reached up to 46.9 °C, while the extreme temperature difference in Haikou was 28.8 °C. The extreme temperature difference is highly associated with the steel beam’s location and surrounding climate. Ideally, the outcomes will provide some contributions for the structural design regarding the corrugated web steel beam. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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20 pages, 7501 KiB  
Article
Bridge Crack Inspection Efficiency of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System with a Laser Ranging Module
by Szu-Pyng Kao, Feng-Liang Wang, Jhih-Sian Lin, Jichiang Tsai, Yi-De Chu and Pen-Shan Hung
Sensors 2022, 22(12), 4469; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22124469 - 13 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2980
Abstract
In this study, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a camera and laser ranging module was developed to inspect bridge cracks. Four laser ranging units were installed adjacent to the camera to measure the distance from the camera to the object to calculate [...] Read more.
In this study, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a camera and laser ranging module was developed to inspect bridge cracks. Four laser ranging units were installed adjacent to the camera to measure the distance from the camera to the object to calculate the object’s projection plane and overcome the limitation of vertical photography. The image processing method was adopted to extract crack information and calculate crack sizes. The developed UAV was used in outdoor bridge crack inspection tests; for images taken at a distance of 2.5 m, we measured the crack length, and the error between the result and the real length was less than 0.8%. The developed UAV has a dual-lens design, where one lens is used for bridge inspections and the other lens is used for flight control. The camera of the developed UAV can be rotated from the horizontal level to the zenith according to user requirements; thus, this UAV achieves high safety and efficiency in bridge inspections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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Review

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21 pages, 2827 KiB  
Review
A Systematic Review of Structural Health Monitoring Systems to Strengthen Post-Earthquake Assessment Procedures
by Brian López-Castro, Ana Gabriela Haro-Baez, Diego Arcos-Aviles, Marco Barreno-Riera and Bryan Landázuri-Avilés
Sensors 2022, 22(23), 9206; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22239206 - 26 Nov 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4728
Abstract
Structural health monitoring (SHM) is vital to ensuring the integrity of people and structures during earthquakes, especially considering the catastrophic consequences that could be registered in countries within the Pacific ring of fire, such as Ecuador. This work reviews the technologies, architectures, data [...] Read more.
Structural health monitoring (SHM) is vital to ensuring the integrity of people and structures during earthquakes, especially considering the catastrophic consequences that could be registered in countries within the Pacific ring of fire, such as Ecuador. This work reviews the technologies, architectures, data processing techniques, damage identification techniques, and challenges in state-of-the-art results with SHM system applications. These studies use several data processing techniques such as the wavelet transform, the fast Fourier transform, the Kalman filter, and different technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning. The results of this review highlight the effectiveness of systems aiming to be cost-effective and wireless, where sensors based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are standard. However, despite the advancement of technology, these face challenges such as optimization of energy resources, computational resources, and complying with the characteristic of real-time processing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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Other

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31 pages, 4217 KiB  
Systematic Review
A Digital Image Correlation Technique for Laboratory Structural Tests and Applications: A Systematic Literature Review
by Mohammed Abbas Mousa, Mustafasanie M. Yussof, Thulfiqar S. Hussein, Lateef N. Assi and SeyedAli Ghahari
Sensors 2023, 23(23), 9362; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23239362 - 23 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2296
Abstract
Digital image correlation (DIC) is an optical technique used to measure surface displacements and strains in materials and structures. This technique has demonstrated significant utility in structural examination and monitoring. This manuscript offers a comprehensive review of the contemporary research and applications that [...] Read more.
Digital image correlation (DIC) is an optical technique used to measure surface displacements and strains in materials and structures. This technique has demonstrated significant utility in structural examination and monitoring. This manuscript offers a comprehensive review of the contemporary research and applications that have leveraged the DIC technique in laboratory-based structural tests. The reviewed works encompass a broad spectrum of structural components, such as concrete beams, columns, pillars, masonry walls, infills, composite materials, structural joints, steel beams, slabs, and other structural elements. These investigations have underscored the efficacy of DIC as a metrological instrument for the precise quantification of surface deformation and strain in these structural components. Moreover, the constraints of the DIC technique have been highlighted, especially in scenarios involving extensive or complex test configurations. Notwithstanding these constraints, the effectiveness of the DIC methodology has been validated as a strain measurement instrument, offering numerous benefits such as non-invasive operation, full-field measurement capability, high precision, real-time surveillance, and compatibility with integration into other measurement instruments and methodologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring Based on Sensing Technology)
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