Development of an ambient vibration testing system for dynamic response monitoring of buildings using low-cost wireless sensors

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Ambient vibration testing is an important tool for identifying the dynamic characteristics of a structure. The industry partner, Sensequake is developing new algorithms and software to predict the integrity of the structure as well as its behavior in response to different type of loadings including earthquakes based on in-situ ambient vibration data. Their technology, 3D-SAM, is a three-dimensional seismic assessment method which can reduce the time for sensor-based assessment of a structure drastically. Traditionally wired sensors (e.g. accelerometers) are used for measuring the vibration response of structure. In a structure, such as a tall building, a wired sensing system becomes cumbersome and it limits the number of sensors and the testing configurations. Wireless sensing system presents a significant opportunity which removes the limitations of a wired system and allows for higher density of sensors and/or flexible test configurations. However, low data bandwidth, range issues, limited battery life and higher cost are found to impede the adoption of such systems. This project will focus on low-cost wireless sensors to develop a prototype system for ambient vibration testing and system identification for structure. This will help Sensequake in developing a sustainable solution for structural health monitoring (SHM) and seismic assessment of civil infrastructure (e.g., buildings and bridges), and by combining the developed system with their existing product could place them in a leadership role in these areas. The successful completion of the project will also bring significant benefits to Canada as there is significant seismic hazard in the western (e.g., British Columbia) and eastern (e.g. Quebec) parts of the country with major population centres, and infrastructure around the country is aged and in a deteriorated state, which needs regular monitoring.