National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
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AIST TODAYNo.38 2010-4 [ PDF:4.5MB ]


Monitoring system for safety management of structures using elastico-luminescent materials
- Real-time visualization of the shape distribution and propagation of cracks using elastico-luminescent sensors -

[ PDF:617KB ]
Chao-Nan Xu
Measurement Solution Research Center

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We have developed a monitoring system that enables the visualization of the shape distribution and propagation of cracks in concrete by employing elastico-luminescent sensors. The safety-management monitoring system we have developed includes elastico-luminescent sensors that emit light upon mechanical stimulation (elastico-luminescence), image sensor nodes that monitor the distribution of luminescence intensity of the elastico-luminescent sensors, wireless photo detector nodes, a database for diagnosing the stress anomaly in the structure on the basis of the luminescence intensity, and a network system that coordinates the operation of these components. The appearance of a crack that occurs in the concrete of bridges and buildings is visualized by using this system, when the elastico-luminescent sensors of the system are placed on the structure surfaces. Moreover, we can predict the generation and propagation of the crack by diagnosing the stress anomaly in the structure. This monitoring system based on elastico-luminescence is expected to be used for inspection and maintenance of various structures including those made of concrete.

Figure
The safety-management monitoring system inspecting a bridge
In monitoring a bridge in use (top left), when a large-sized vehicle passed and a heavy load was added, abnormal image of elastico-luminescence was recorded.

Relational Information
AIST TODAY Vol.10, No.7, p.18 (2010)


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