Skip to main content

SENSKIN project develops first prototype of infrastructure monitoring sensor

SENSKIN, a 42-month European Horizon 2020 project to develop a sensor for monitoring-based maintenance of the transport infrastructure implemented by 13 partners from seven countries has reported on its first 18 months of work. During this time, the partners derived user requirements and, based on these, designed the prototype of the skin-like sensors and the data acquisition unit. They also provided proof of concept of the communication system and are finishing the prototypes of the communication, structur
February 3, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
SENSKIN, a 42-month European Horizon 2020 project to develop a sensor for monitoring-based maintenance of the transport infrastructure implemented by 13 partners from seven countries has reported on its first 18 months of work. During this time, the partners derived user requirements and, based on these, designed the prototype of the skin-like sensors and the data acquisition unit. They also provided proof of concept of the communication system and are finishing the prototypes of the communication, structural and rehabilitation modules.

A main objective of the project is the development of a skin-like sensor that offers spatial sensing and can monitor large strains. Emerging delay tolerant network technology is applied, so that the measurements of the sensors can be transmitted to the control centre even under difficult conditions, such as an earthquake, where some communication networks are inoperable.

The sensors show a linear output in a range of strains between zero to 20 per cent, while they can monitor both strains and crack openings, replacing both strain gauges and crack metres.  In addition, the sensor requires little power to operate, is capable of being installed on an irregular surface, is less expensive than existing sensors and allows simple signal processing - including the ability to self-monitor and self-report.

Structural assessment is based on detailed finite element analyses of the monitored bridge that have been developed, while the selection of rehabilitation methods takes into account economic and environmental considerations.

The system will be field evaluated on the Bosporus 1 bridge in Istanbul with an average daily traffic of 200,000 vehicles and a bridge on the Greek Egnatia motorway that connects Europe to Asia.

Related Content

  • August 10, 2016
    Calculating the cost of stellar solutions
    The increasing availability and accuracy of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is opening up low-cost options in many areas as David Crawford finds out. Boosting commercialisation of European global navigation satellite system (EGNSS) technologies for ITS initially depends heavily on demonstrating competitive and cost/benefit advantages obtainable from the deployment of EGNOS (the current European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service), and ultimately the EU’s Galileo constellation (see box). So,
  • February 23, 2017
    LiDAR sets its sights on future problems
    AAdvances in LiDAR are helping transport authorities improve services and identify potential problem areas, as geospatial technology expert Dr Neil Slatcher explains. The effects of climate change on the transport infrastructure have long been a cause of concern within the transportation sector - and not only on the structures themselves but also on the surrounding areas. This year, those concerns have become reality with landslides, structural collapses and surfacing issues impacting services across the wo
  • March 21, 2013
    EU project identifies critical road transport infrastructure
    The results of the US3.2 million European Union (EU research project Security of Road Transport Networks (SeRoN) have been published by software and consulting services provider PTV Group and its seven partners. The report presents a methodology which allows planners to identify critical bridges and tunnels and to develop appropriate protection measures. As part of the EU’s 7th Framework Programme, the SeRoN project investigated the security of tunnels and bridges. To this end, the project partners develop
  • December 8, 2014
    Sensor solutions cuts maintenance and emissions
    The new raft of sensor technology can provide cost savings as well as additional functionality, as David Crawford discovers. Austria’s third-largest city, Linz, with a population of around 200,000, is recording substantial savings in its urban tram network within 18 months of introducing a new, high-technology approach to its public transport management. Tram, bus and trolleybus operator Linz Linien forms part of city utilities management company Linz AG, which has been carrying out a wide-ranging Smart Cit