Sensor and Data Systems for Safety, Sustainability, and Efficiency
Harmful water ingress can cause significant damage over the long term. In bridges and other critical infrastructure structures in particular, water ingress accelerates the corrosion of reinforcing and prestressing steel. The consequences range from cracks and concrete spalling to a loss of load-bearing capacity. Often, such damage only becomes visible once the deterioration of the structural integrity is already well advanced. Through the SmartWire-Sensor Competence Center, Fraunhofer IZFP and Klaus Faber AG are developing an innovative solution to detect moisture ingress early and with pinpoint accuracy: The sensor system enables continuous monitoring of critical areas, thereby providing an important foundation for proactive and needs-based maintenance.
Greater Safety and Cost-Effectiveness Through Predictive Maintenance
Early detection of moisture makes it possible to identify potential damage before it causes lasting harm to the building structure. This provides operators with a sound basis for decision-making, allowing them to plan maintenance measures in a targeted manner and implement them in a timely fashion.
This offers concrete advantages:
- Location-specific line detection of moisture: Changes in moisture can be detected with precise location accuracy along a sensor line.
- Detect damage early: Harmful moisture ingress is detected before visible consequential damage occurs.
- Plan maintenance strategically: Measurement data supports the prioritization and planning of measures based on actual needs.
- Reduce costs: Preventive interventions help avoid extensive renovations and costly consequential damage.
- Extend the service life of structures: Early damage prevention contributes to the long-term preservation of the building fabric and structural integrity.
- Conserve resources: Extending the service life reduces material requirements and the environmental impact caused by extensive renovation or new construction projects.
Smart Sensing Technology for Continuous Structural Monitoring
The SmartWire-Sensor system combines innovative sensor technology with energy-efficient data processing and flexible communication. The goal is a self-sufficient monitoring solution that does not require regular manual measurements and can be adapted to different requirements and operating conditions.
Three key functions form the technological foundation: The combination of these technologies creates the basis for a flexible and scalable monitoring system.
- Smart data analysis: Robust and efficient AI algorithms analyze the collected sensor data directly on-site (edge computing). This allows relevant changes to be identified early on.
- Self-Sufficient Operation: The sensor system is designed for energy-efficient, independent operation and enables continuous monitoring even at hard-to-reach measurement points.
- Flexible Data Communication: Interfaces such as LoRaWAN, GSM, and 5G enable the transmission of measurement data as needed and its integration into higher-level monitoring structures.
Working Together for Sustainable Infrastructure
With SmartWire-Sensor, Fraunhofer IZFP and Klaus Faber AG are driving the development of intelligent monitoring solutions for critical infrastructure. The technology combines innovative sensor technology, AI-supported data processing, and self-sufficient systems into a forward-looking approach to structural monitoring. In doing so, it makes an important contribution to the safety, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of infrastructure management.