Fourth SENSKIN project newsletter

Less than two weeks to go to this key event on Monitoring Systems for Resilient and Sustainable Bridges

'SENsing SKIN' for Monitoring-Based Maintenance of the Transport Infrastructure

The SENSKIN ('Sensing Skin' for Monitoring-Based Maintenance of the Transport Infrastructure) H2020 project's main objectives include developing:

A micro-electronic, skin-like, sensor for monitoring transport infrastructure, with a spatial sensing of reversible (repeated) strains in the range of 0.012%,
A delay (or disruption) tolerant communication system that will guarantee the delivery, availability and integrity of the sensor data even during hostile communication conditions.
A Decision Support System (DSS) for proactive condition-based structural intervention under operating loads and intervention after extreme events.

Register now for the first SENSKIN workshop, to be held on Wedneday 8th November 2017 at the BluePoint Brussels (formerly DIAMANT Centre), 80 Bd. A. Reyers, 1030 Brussels, Participation is free of charge.

This workshop aims at analysing the functional and operational requirements of the SENSKIN system based on the needs of bridge owners and operators, as well as the methodology of the SENSKIN monitoring system.

To facilitate and enhance knowledge exchange between practitioners in the field of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), a number of monitoring systems already being used, as well as those currently being developed, will be presented. This will provide input into the panel discussion, which will discuss among others the latest trends in SHM, how to make SHM more prominent in bridge monitoring, etc. Click here to take a look at the latest version of the programme.

For further information, contact Claudia Ciuca at claudia.ciuca@fehrl.org, visit www.senskin.eu or join our Linked In group.

Recent technical developments


	SENSKIN Sensor and DAQ unit.

The project officially launched its activities in June 2015 and is currently through its integration stage. A second version of the strain sensor and its data acquisition (DAQ) system have been developed following the end-user requirements and an exhaustive first round of testing (physical interaction, measuring capabilities, robustness, straining/vibration etc) and a series of related recommendations. The developed sensors show quite a linear output in a range of strains between 0 to 20%, which is unique in the market, as conventional sensors fail at strains of no more than 2%, while they can monitor both strains and crack openings (replacing both strain gauges and crack meters). Additionally, this sensor requires little power to operate, is capable of being installed on irregular surfaces, is less expensive than existing sensors and allows simple signal processing - including the ability to self-monitor and self-report.


	SESKIN Integrated Node in Casing.

At the same time, the related communication system has been designed and developed (including PCBs and interfaces design and development) together with the power management and harvesting solution and the system casing that are now integrated into one working prototype (the SENSKIN Node). These are also under environmental testing activities currently, so after the related recommendations and modifications, will be installed to the first test site (Bosporus 1 Bridge).

In parallel, the conventional monitoring system that will accompany the SENSKIN system for purposes of validation and benchmarking at the pilot sites, has been selected and configured during the recent integration activities. Both systems are now fully integrated and report their measurements to the Decision Support System (using the SENSKIN communication system).

The development of the Decision Support System (DSS) includes structural assessment algorithms (based on detailed finite element analyses of the monitored bridge) and the Life-Cycle-Costing (LCC) and Life-Cycle-Assessment (LCA) module that in turn include selection of rehabilitation methods taking into account economic and environmental considerations.


	SENSKIN DSS - Remote Strain and Temp Measurements.

The project is now in an integration and testing phase and during its final lab validation tests before the installation of the system at the two sites. Preparatory activities have also started including test sites installation, topologies testing etc. It is expected that the first validation tests will take place at the Bosporus 1 Bridge in May 2018, followed by the full system installation that is expected for September 2018.