Remote Structural Health Monitoring via Field Device Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current structural health monitoring techniques are inefficient and costly due to the need for on-site analysis equipment and frequent site visits, especially in inaccessible locations, and often result in delayed detection of infrastructure damage.
Innovation Solution
A remote computing device performs real-time or near-real-time structural health monitoring by analyzing data from portable field devices via communication networks, reducing the need for on-site equipment and multiple visits while enabling efficient data aggregation and distribution of sensor operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If structural health analysis is performed off-site after leaving the imaging location, then the expense of conveying analysis equipment is reduced, but the analysis time is increased and multiple site visits are required
Solution Approach 1:
A remote computing device acts as an intermediary between the portable field device at the imaging location and the off-site analysis facility. The portable field device transmits imaging data to the remote computing device, which performs the structural health analysis remotely, eliminating the need to physically transport analysis equipment while providing timely results without requiring multiple site visits.
2Loss of time
If analysis equipment is carried on-site to an imaging location, then the need for multiple visits is avoided, but the expense and complexity of equipment conveyance is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The remote computing device serves as a mediator that enables on-site analysis capability without requiring physical presence of analysis equipment at the imaging location. The system architecture allows the portable field device to communicate with the remote computing device, providing timely structural health analysis while avoiding the logistical burden of transporting and managing analysis equipment on-site.
3Measurement precision
If imaging data is analyzed using conventional techniques, then comprehensive structural health assessment is achieved, but the processing time and computational resources are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering and preprocessing of imaging data at the portable field device before transmission to the remote computing device. This preliminary action reduces the data volume and complexity requiring remote processing, enabling timely comprehensive structural health assessment without excessive computational overhead or delay in defect detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining, based on physical characteristics indicated by first data, a plurality of sensor operations associated with a plurality of structures. The method further includes updating a structural health management system to indicate the plurality of sensor operations and, after updating the structural health management system, sending a plurality of notifications to the plurality of portable field devices. The method further includes receiving, in response to sending the plurality of notifications, second data from the plurality of portable field devices indicating results of the plurality of sensor operations. The results are generated by a plurality of tools used to perform the plurality of sensor operations. The method further includes performing, based on the results of the plurality of sensor operations, a plurality of remote structural health monitoring operations to determine one or more structural health characteristics of each structure of the plurality of structures.