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

  • Performance indicators help differentiate between truck tolling systems
    August 20, 2014
    Traffic Quality Management Karl Ernst Ambrosch talks to ITS International about a new KPI-based methodology for assessing the efficacy of electronic toll collection schemes The debate over which is the ‘best’ solution for applications such as truck tolling is now years old.
  • All aboard hyperloop 'by 2040 earliest', says Lux
    April 30, 2020
    Cost-per-mile estimates are rising and technical issues remain, says Lux Research
  • Righter shade of pale
    July 24, 2012
    Jon Tarleton, Quixote Transportation Technologies, Inc., talks about developments in mobile weather information gathering Quixote Transportation Technologies, Inc. (QTT) is promoting the greater use of mobile technologies to provide infill between fixed Road Weather Information System (RWIS) infrastructure. It is, the company says, a means of reducing the expense of providing comprehensive, network-wide coverage, particularly in geographic locations where the sheer number of centreline miles causes cost to
  • Cost benefit goes under the microscope
    August 21, 2017
    Conventional cost benefit analysis (CBA) of plans for urban smart mobility initiatives needs serious rethinking, according to a recently-completed European study. The three-year Evidence Project (the Project) emerged in response to concerns about the availability and quality of documented research – including CBA – required to prove that investment in sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs) can be economically beneficial. Covering 22 sectors ranging from electric vehicles to shared spaces, the Project clai