Flexible Sensor Network and Its Embedded Integrated Circuits for Structural Health Monitoring

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a novel technology that can be used to perform on-line health monitoring of any type of structures (Metal or composite)with minimal human involvement and at reduced cost compared to traditional non-destructive inspection (NDI) methods. SHM involves the use of NDI principles coupled with in situ sensing to allow for rapid, remote, and real-time condition assessments. The sensors record certain signatures, within deviations from such signatures may indicate a mechanical issue that needs to be addressed. Alternately, the sensors may deterministically detect a flaw,thus indicating the type of damage and location for further assessment. Such a system can be used to conduct nondestructive inspections for areas of the structural platform which have been traditionally difficult to access. SHM systems may either be used to supplement normally scheduled inspections or provide continued monitoring of a given structure. The goal is to reduce operational costs and increase lifetime of structures by:- Continuously monitoring critical areas- Overcome accessibility limitations, complex geometrics, depth of hidden damage- Eliminate costly and potentially damaging disassembly- Minimize human factors using automated data analysis- Move towards Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) for the structure, as opposed to scheduled maintenance.