Risk monitoring of buildings with wireless sensor networks

TLDR

Buildings face natural and artificial hazards, and wireless sensor networks—especially Berkeley Mote‑based smart sensors—are emerging as promising tools for monitoring and mitigating these risks. The study investigates the performance of MICA and MICA2 Motes via shaking‑table tests on a two‑storey steel structure. The Motes, equipped with onboard microprocessors and wireless communication, were tested on the structure, with acceleration sensors evaluated for wireless measurement and damage‑detection applications. The acceleration sensor and MICA2 Mote demonstrated sufficient performance for wireless measurement and damage detection in the structure. © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Buildings are subjected to natural hazards, such as earthquakes and winds, and artificial hazards, such as fires and crimes, during their long-term use. Risk monitoring using a network of wireless sensors is one of the most promising emerging technologies for mitigation of these hazards. Recently, a smart sensor based on the Berkeley Mote platform was introduced, and an application to the next generation of structural health monitoring and control was proposed. The Mote has on-board microprocessor and ready-made wireless communication capabilities. In this paper, the performance of the MICA and MICA2 Mote is investigated through shaking table tests employing a two-storey steel structure. The acceleration sensor is tested, and its performance for wireless measurement and specific risk monitoring applications, such as damage detection in the structure, is presented. The MICA2 Mote is shown to have sufficient performance for the intended purpose. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.