How can smart sensors improve infrastructure maintenance?

Smart sensors are gadgets that have the ability to process, measure, and convey a range of environmental or physical data, including moisture, noise, vibration, strain, temperature, and pressure. In addition, self-diagnosis, calibration, and condition adaption are capabilities of smart sensors.

Smart sensors are devices that can monitor, measure and transmit data based on different environmental conditions, implementing these in infrastructures along side other building management systems (BMS) can give us a great advantage in adapting our building to different environmental conditions, reducing environmental impact and overconsumption of energy.

By identifying and reporting flaws before they become serious, smart sensors can improve safety and serviceability, among other benefits for infrastructure maintenance. By maximising the time, frequency, and scope of inspections, repairs, or replacements based on real data, they can also save maintenance costs and dangers.

Strain gauges, which measure the stress and strain in components like beams, cables, or joints; accelerometers, which measure the vibration and dynamic response of the bridge to traffic, wind, or earthquakes; and fibre optic sensors, which measure the temperature, strain, or deformation in bridge materials like concrete, steel, or composite, are examples of smart sensors that can be used to monitor the structural health and behaviour of bridges.

Smart sensors are devices that measure, monitor, process data, gives information and controls different systems in a building like motion, temperature, CO2, lighting etc. They are essential in efficient energy consumption because through this monitoring and control, they reduce the excess energy that’s consumed when these systems work when they are not needed there this indirectly also increases the lifespan of certain systems and equipment. Talking about smoke detectors, they automate countermeasures in case of a fire there by protecting the buildings envelope and every other system.

Smart sensors, such temperature sensors that measure thermal comfort and energy consumption, humidity sensors that measure moisture content and air quality, and smoke detectors that identify the presence of smoke or fire, can assist in monitoring the operation and state of buildings. Then, these sensors can stop the growth of mould, germs, or fungi and modify the HVAC or air conditioning systems appropriately. Furthermore, smoke detectors have the ability to trigger sprinkler, alarm, and evacuation systems when needed.

Acoustic sensors can identify the location and size of leaks, impacts, or incursions, while pressure sensors can identify leaks, blockages, or bursts. Furthermore, by monitoring the magnetic field and corrosion, magnetic sensors can evaluate the cathodic protection, coating, or wall thickness.

A utiliza??o de sensores inteligentes proporcionam aos técnicos uma quantidade de informa??o que n?o se pode obter com outro método de coleta. Isso proporciona que as análises sejam feitas com maior nível de precis?o e com um grau de confiabilidade superior as feitas de maneira tradicional.