Functional Composite-Based Wireless Sensing Platform for Bridge Structures

A functional nanocomposite-based sensing platform will be developed to monitor both physical and chemical conditions of the bridge structures. The proposed system contains the terminal sensing unit, data collection unit, as well as data transmission unit. The three units combined will deliver live information about the strain, chemical environment, and conditions of the bridge structural components that can be utilized to conduct prognosis of the structural health conditions of the bridge structures being monitored and provide realistic predictions of the life-span of the structures. The terminal sensing unit will be fabricated using nanocomposite sensing layers on top of thin elastomer films, which will be attached to a fiber structure. The sensing layers will consist of reactive nanoparticles or atomically-thin layers, which are conductive and able to react with surrounding media. For the physical measurements including displacements and strains, the piezo-resistivity will be enabled and utilized. For instance, overlapping nanoflakes of graphene or multilayered MXene (two-dimensional titanium carbides) will be sprayed on the surface of the polymer substrate wrapping around the fiber structure. The mechanical stretch induced change in contact among the these nanoflakes will activate the electrical resistance along the path where the nanoflakes are in contact. This enabled piezo-resistivity will allow measurements of changed electrical resistance induced by the external displacements. For the chemical measurements, reactive nanoparticles or thin-films such as ferrous carbides (Fe-C) or polyaniline (PANI) will be utilized to detect any change in moisture or oxygen concentrations. The reaction induced electrical resistance will be recorded and transmitted. Both of the data collection and transmission units will utilize the commercially available digital system that converts analog signals into digital ones. The blue-tooth 4.0 technology will be utilized to transmit the collected data wirelessly.

• Record URL:
  https://matc.unl.edu/research/research_project.php?researchID=578

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $114855
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747107

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Mid-America Transportation Center

  University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  2200 Vine Street, PO Box 830851
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0851
• Managing Organizations:

  Mid-America Transportation Center

  University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  2200 Vine Street, PO Box 830851
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0851
• Performing Organizations:

  Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla

  Department of Engineering
  202 University Center
  Rolla, MO    65409
• Principal Investigators:

  Wu, Chenglin

• Start Date: 20191213
• Expected Completion Date: 20201231
• Actual Completion Date: 20230630
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
• Source Data: RiP Project 91994-50

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Composite materials; Data collection; Nanostructured materials; Resistance (Electricity); Sensors; Strain measurement; Structural health monitoring
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01738461
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Mid-America Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747107
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Apr 29 2020 8:07AM