Structural Resistance Monitoring for Hidden Joint and Shaft Health

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current structural health monitoring techniques are inadequate for non-destructively and easily monitoring the health of entire structural materials, particularly in structures with hidden or obscured components, as they primarily focus on moisture-related deterioration in foundation wood sections and fail to detect changes in joint portions and shafts due to earthquakes or other factors.

Innovation Solution

A structural health monitoring apparatus that uses a resistance measurement unit and an evaluation unit to assess the health of structures by measuring resistance values between terminals on electrical paths formed by conductive surfaces of structural materials, allowing for non-destructive monitoring of joint and shaft conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional moisture monitoring techniques are used for foundation wood sections, then moisture-related deterioration can be monitored, but the health of entire structural materials including joint portions and shafts cannot be monitored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverage of structural healthVSAvoidapplicability to different structural components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical resistance monitoring system is designed to universally monitor multiple types of structural materials (wooden columns, beams, foundations) and multiple deterioration modes (moisture, cracks, joint displacement) through a single measurement approach, making the system adaptable to various structural components beyond just foundation wood sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The structural materials are divided into monitorable segments with electrical paths established through conductive coatings on surfaces, allowing independent monitoring of joint portions, shaft portions, and other structural elements while maintaining overall system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If periodic visual inspection by removing finishing material is performed, then health of structural materials can be monitored, but the process is too cumbersome and difficult to execute

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of structural deteriorationVSAvoidoperational simplicity of monitoring process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical process of removing finishing material for visual inspection is replaced with an electrical resistance measurement system that can detect structural deterioration through conductive coatings applied to the surfaces, eliminating the need for physical access and material removal while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Conductive coatings serve as intermediaries between the structural materials and the monitoring system, allowing electrical resistance measurements to reflect the health state of underlying structural components without requiring direct visual access or removal of finishing materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If conductive surfaces are applied to structural materials to form electrical paths, then non-destructive monitoring of joint and shaft conditions becomes possible, but additional materials and processing are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of structural health monitoringVSAvoidcomplexity of applying conductive surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The surface properties of structural materials are modified by applying conductive coatings that change the electrical parameters of the material surfaces, enabling resistance measurements to detect structural health changes while the coating application process is designed to be simple and compatible with existing construction practices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables non-destructive, easy monitoring of structural health, detecting changes in joint and shaft states, and providing timely alerts for maintenance, thus extending the lifespan of structures by identifying potential issues before they become critical.

Implementation Method 1

At least part of surfaces of the joint portions and at least part of surfaces of the shaft portion are conductive such that, by surfaces of the plurality of structural materials being electrically connected, electrical paths are formed in the assembled body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11035812B2Structural health monitoring apparatus and monitoring method

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 UNEBE KENSETSU CO LTD

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a structural health monitoring apparatus for monitoring health of a structure includes a resistance measurement unit and an evaluation unit. The resistance measurement unit measures a resistance value between one terminal and another terminal of a set of two terminals. The set of two terminals is selected from a plurality of terminals provided on the electrical paths formed in the assembled body that forms frames of the structure. The evaluation unit evaluates the health of the structure by using a difference between the resistance value between terminals of the set of two terminals and a reference resistance value between the two terminals, and outputs evaluation result information.