AE Intelligent Sensor Networks System Used in Tele-Monitoring of Civil Engineering

This paper introduces a novel AE intelligent sensor networks syste m. The system is composed of three parts: the wide band AE sensors, the real-time signal ac quisition and processing nodes and an intelligent information terminal. This system acquires AE events from the reinforced concrete structure through its wide band AE sensors, and then extracts the AE characteri stic parameters of the defects in the structure through DSP of the nodes. These parameters, including the number of hits, energies, relative AE hit rates and arriving times at the individual sensors on the diff erent locations, etc., are transferred from the individual nodes to the intelligent information terminal. T he main functions of the terminal are to organize and manage the distributed nodes, and to transfer the ef fective information to the users through wired/wireless manner. Since the system uses GPRS and Internet, it not only can real-time tele-monitoring the health status of the constructions, but also can red uce the complicacy and cost of the system. The practice of the networks on the Yiwu Shangbo Bridge shows that the system possesses the function of real-time, long-distance, non-destructive monitoring the hea lth status of the reinforced concrete structures, such as the bridge, dam, tunnel, and so on. Furthermore, this s ystem has the property of adjusting and controlling its own status. Therefore, it is suitable for real-time monitoring the health of the various new and in service civil engineering structures.