Use of Micro-Electrochemical Systems-based Technologies for Civil Infrastructure Health Monitoring

Abstract

Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems are integrated devices miniaturized at micron scale that contain actuators, mechanical and electrical components, multiple sensing elements on the same system and on-chip electronics with a correspondingly small overall device size. Due to the diverse manufacturing possibilities, they can be produced with a low budget but offer a variety of capabilities and efficiencies such as a long-term, continuous monitoring of civil infrastructure at low-cost. If properly developed and implemented, the use of such devices embedded in or directly attached to the structures would allow for important parameters and a wide range of physical phenomenon be measured and monitored in real-time. Some of the benefits resulting from the use of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems in infrastructure monitoring include improved system reliability and longevity, improved safety against catastrophic failure and natural hazards, and a reduction in life-cycle cost. This paper discusses the physical bases, potential applications, and strengths and limitations of Micro-Electromechanical Systems that are developed for structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure.