Embedded Buckypaper Sensor for Elastomeric Expansion Joint Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional expansion joints in constructions, such as bridges, face challenges in monitoring deformation due to external sensors being difficult to install, maintain, and are prone to environmental damage and theft.
Innovation Solution
A sensorized elastomeric expansion joint with an embedded buckypaper strip sensor, which measures deformation and movement by changing electrical resistance, allowing for real-time remote management and increased durability against environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external sensors are used to monitor expansion joints, then deformation measurement capability is provided, but the sensors are difficult to install, maintain, and are prone to environmental damage and theft
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is merged with the elastomeric body of the expansion joint, forming an integrated sensorized joint. The buckypaper sensor is embedded within the elastomeric material, making the sensor and the structure it monitors into a single unified component. This eliminates the need for separate external sensor installations and protects the sensor by incorporating it into the weather-resistant elastomeric body.
Solution Approach 2:
The buckypaper sensor is nested within the elastomeric body of the expansion joint. The sensor is placed inside the elastomeric material during manufacturing, with the elastomeric body serving as a protective enclosure. This nested configuration allows the sensor to be shielded from environmental factors while remaining functional for deformation detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external sensors are installed on expansion joints, then monitoring capability is achieved, but installation and maintenance become complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is merged into the expansion joint itself through the embedded sensor. The sensorized elastomeric joint combines the structural function of the expansion joint with the sensing function in a single integrated component, eliminating separate monitoring systems and simplifying both installation and maintenance procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion joint provides its own monitoring capability through the embedded sensor, making the system self-sufficient. The joint monitors its own deformation and movement without requiring external sensing equipment, reducing the complexity of installation and maintenance while providing continuous monitoring data.
3Loss of information
If sensors are exposed to the environment for monitoring, then real-time data is obtained, but the sensors are vulnerable to atmospheric conditions, vandalism, and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is nested within the elastomeric body, which serves as a protective shell. This nested configuration shields the sensor from atmospheric conditions, vandalism, and physical damage while allowing the sensor to detect deformation through the elastomeric material itself, maintaining real-time monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric body acts as a flexible protective shell enclosing the sensor. This flexible shell allows the sensor to move and deform with the expansion joint while providing protection from environmental factors. The elastomeric material's flexibility ensures the sensor remains functional despite the protective enclosure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The embedded buckypaper strip sensor provides accurate and reliable deformation measurements, reducing maintenance costs, enhancing road safety, and increasing the lifespan of sensing devices by protecting them from environmental and vandalism-related damage.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated buckypaper strip, which is embedded in the elastomeric body... The electrical resistance of a buckypaper strip changes in response to deformation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A sensorized elastomeric expansion joint (1), comprising: at least one elastomeric body (2), elongated along its longitudinal axis (14), having an upper face (21) that comprises two upper grooves (3) and a lower face (22), that comprises a lower groove (4) that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (14); two L-shape parts (5), embedded in the elastomeric body (2), made of two plates which form a 90° angle, extending along the longitudinal axis (14); a plate (6), embedded in the elastomeric body (2) between the upper grooves (3) and disposed in a plane parallel to the upper and lower faces (21, 22) and extending along the longitudinal axis (14); and one or more buckypaper strip sensors (8), completely embedded in the elastomeric body (2) in a plane parallel to the upper and lower faces (21, 22).