An Internet of Things (IoT) Based System to Analyze Real-time Collapsing Probability of Structures

Abstract

With the advancement of modern technology in civil engineering field, `Structural Health Monitoring' (SHM) is becoming an important research topic to ameliorate the human safety and to lessen maintenance costs of structurally complicated projects. This consists the procedure of identifying and detecting internal cracks and damages in the infrastructures due to aging, natural calamity or any other human-made reason well in time so that a preventive measurement can be undertaken before it collapses. However, most of the already existing SHM systems face challenges and problems performing at a real-time scenario due to lack of robustness and portability. Moreover, the remote and constant monitoring appliances are not implemented yet properly. So, with the help of Internet of Things (IoT) we have proposed a solution of SHM which is both portable and robust in nature. Our proposed device can be mounted on a concrete beam, metal structure, slabs, bridge joints, gusset plates, beam-column joints etc. This device measures the inclined angles and analyses bends where it's mounted and send the data to smartphone app through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for realtime viewing. It can also send raw data to the cloud storage through a Wi-Fi module for future research and analysis. This device uses flex sensors to monitor the slightest bending from where it is mounted. Whenever, deformation happens the device gives alert to the inhabitants by buzzing an alarm and lighting the LED which is the outcome of constant monitoring without any human interaction. All raw data are processed through inbuilt processor.