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Investigating the Potential of Singly Curved Thin Piezoelectric Transducers for Energy Harvesting and Structural Health Monitoring

Over the past two decades, piezoelectric materials have become an integral part of structural health monitoring (SHM) and energy harvesting. These ...

CSIR-Central Road Research Institute

Driven by technological advancements and accelerated infrastructure development, an increase in the need to monitor the performance of prominent structures such as bridges, metro-corridors, and sea-link bridges is being advocated by experts to predict and minimize any hazards resulting from the degradation of the structures over time. However, accessing and replacing the batteries becomes problematic and expensive when the sensors are instrumented in remote areas of the bridge structures, especially when the sensors are embedded. For these reasons, a strong case can be made for harvesting and storing ambient energy from the surroundings to drive the sensors for structural health monitoring (SHM). This study aims to introduce a new trapezoidal strain-amplifying sensor/energy harvester (TSAH) for civil engineering structures that uses flexural strain amplification to enhance energy harvesting from structural vibrations. TSAH also serves as a sensor for integrated energy harvesting and SHM. This article examines the influence of the geometric properties of TSAH on strain amplification via numerical investigations under a specific set of external loads. Based on numerical studies, the sensors are bonded to the trapezoidal strain-amplifying plate to develop and assess the TSAH. Experimental investigations were carried out first in the laboratory to evaluate the effectiveness of the TSAH over the directly bonded (DB) sensors with two different types of piezo-transducers for energy harvesting. The host structure was exposed to impact and shaker vibrations for the laboratory research. For the various scenarios taken into consideration in the study, the typical amplification factor for peak voltage is determined to be between 1.45 and 3.75, while for the power, it is between 1.09 and 6.08. Further, for field verification, the TSAH configuration was evaluated on a real-life bridge structure, viz the Chipiyana rail over-bridge (ROB), Asia's heaviest steel ROB located on the Delhi-Meerut expressway. The field experiments also establish the superior performance of TSAH, with an amplification factor ranging from 1.75 to 3.75 for peak voltage and 3.75 to 5.53 for peak power. As compared to the previously proposed curved configuration in the literature, the TSAH configuration is suitable for brittle sensors as well. Its ability to be permanently bonded by epoxy/welding, or temporarily using magnets, bolts, or clamps, offers it versatility over other surface bonded/embedded configurations. As a result of this, it imparts reusability in case of any damage, which promotes the goal of sustainability.

Development and Performance Evaluation of Enhanced Piezo-Electric Sensor Cum Energy Harvester Based on Flexural Strain Amplification in Real-Life Field Conditions.

The in-situ concrete strength is estimated using qualitative techniques such as ultrasonic pulse velocity and the Schmidt hammer test, which are challenging to perform at inaccessible locations in large structures. Furthermore, these techniques are only successful in the outside regions of concrete casting and provide no insights for the inside regions. The researchers have been exploring new techniques using Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) impedance transducers for monitoring concrete strength at required locations in real-time, to optimise the construction process. However, the existing studies only establish the feasibility of the concept with limited testing and lack considering the effect of field parameters i.e., temperature and relative humidity. The present study discusses a novel technique of monitoring in-situ strength in rapid set concrete, using resonant peak parameters from the Electro-Mechanical Impedance (EMI) signatures of embedded Resin Jacketed Piezo (RJP) sensors. The developed RJP sensors are easy to manufacture and provide signatures within acceptable consistency. Different correlation models have been developed considering the effect of field parameters through extensive testing in controlled lab conditions. Also, the developed technique has been successfully implemented in a real-life bridge construction site. It was observed that there is a clear difference in the in-situ concrete strength achieved in the outer region of the pier of an under-construction bridge in comparison to the inner region. The outcomes of this study will pave in better decision making for the formwork removal in the casting yards and thus help in improving the construction rate keeping safety in concern.

Article	Year
Development and Performance Evaluation of Enhanced Piezo-Electric Sensor Cum Energy Harvester Based on Flexural Strain Amplification in Real-Life Field Conditions. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)\| PubMed ID: 40006292	2025
In situ strength assessment of rapid set concrete in real time using resonant peak parameters of embedded PZT transducers. Scientific reports\| PubMed ID: 40175379	2025

Naveet Kaur

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