Ghosh, A; Edwards, D J; Hosseini, M R; Al-Ameri, R; Abawajy, J and Thwala, W D (2021) Real-time structural health monitoring for concrete beams: A cost-effective 'industry 4.0' solution using piezo sensors. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 39(2), pp. 283-311. ISSN 23984708
Abstract
Purpose: This research paper adopts the fundamental tenets of advanced technologies in industry 4.0 to monitor the structural health of concrete beam members using cost-effective non-destructive technologies. In so doing, the work illustrates how a coalescence of low-cost digital technologies can seamlessly integrate to solve practical construction problems. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed philosophies epistemological design is adopted to implement the empirical quantitative analysis of “real-time” data collected via sensor-based technologies streamed through a Raspberry Pi and uploaded onto a cloud-based system. Data was analysed using a hybrid approach that combined both vibration-characteristic-based method and linear variable differential transducers (LVDT). Findings: The research utilises a novel digital research approach for accurately detecting and recording the localisation of structural cracks in concrete beams. This non-destructive low-cost approach was shown to perform with a high degree of accuracy and precision, as verified by the LVDT measurements. This research is testament to the fact that as technological advancements progress at an exponential rate, the cost of implementation continues to reduce to produce higher-accuracy “mass-market” solutions for industry practitioners. Originality/value: Accurate structural health monitoring of concrete structures necessitates expensive equipment, complex signal processing and skilled operator. The concrete industry is in dire need of a simple but reliable technique that can reduce the testing time, cost and complexity of maintenance of structures. This was the first experiment of its kind that seeks to develop an unconventional approach to solve the maintenance problem associated with concrete structures. This study merges industry 4.0 digital technologies with a novel low-cost and automated hybrid analysis for real-time structural health monitoring of concrete beams by fusing several multidisciplinary approaches into one integral technological configuration.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | concrete; construction industry; industry 4.0; internet of things; piezoceramic sensor; structural health monitoring |
| Index terms: | research paper, philosophy, accuracy, experiment, methodology, concrete beam, practitioner, sensor-based technology, configuration, digital technology, quantitative analysis, vibration, complexity, industry 4.0, concrete industry, monitoring, internet, implementation, construction industry, testing, concrete structure, localization |
| Subjects: | control systems, practitioner, computing systems, mechanical systems, data collection methods, research dissemination and communication, technology adoption, innovation and technology management, professional practice, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, urban planning, professional development, research methods, structural engineering, systems engineering, industry analysis, philosophical studies |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Site Management, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Governance, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here