Design and Development of Vibration based Energy Harvesting for Structural Health Monitoring (WSNs) of Bridges

Energy harvesting is being in the use since the development of the technology of Low powered devices used for various purposes like Structural health monitoring of bridges, various temperature or humidity monitoring devices, Traffic control etc. It is the alternative of battery usage because of cert

2025-06-28 16:31:27 - Adil Khan

Project Title

Design and Development of Vibration based Energy Harvesting for Structural Health Monitoring (WSNs) of Bridges

Project Area of Specialization Mechatronics EngineeringProject Summary

Energy harvesting is being in the use since the development of the technology of Low powered devices used for various purposes like Structural health monitoring of bridges, various temperature or humidity monitoring devices, Traffic control etc. It is the alternative of battery usage because of certain drawbacks including battery could burst at high temperatures or loads; also it requires a lot of maintenance which will be very costly in terms of work force required. Likewise complex wiring system is not in the option because of the same costly nature, then energy from ambient sources like light, thermal, acoustics, vibrations, wind etc would be of great importance due to their abundance. This work specifically target power required for health monitoring of bridges. In case of wireless sensor nodes (WSNs) used for health monitoring of bridges, only vibrations has the tendency to be utilized as ambient power source. Various sort of vibration based energy harvesters have been reported so far in the literature, including Piezoelectric EH’s, Electromagnetic EH’s, and Electrostatic EH’s. Electrostatic have their own limitations, which will be discussed, so a hybrid sort of Energy harvester is being developed including both electromagnetic and piezoelectric effects. Aero elastic effects will also be introduced using airfoil flutter phenomena to compensate for the situation when there is no traffic and the sole ambient source is wind especially during night. Using this sort of hybrid device main goal is to develop that much energy which is enough for the smooth running of WSNs utilized for Structural health monitoring of bridges.

Project Objectives Project Implementation Method

First of all preliminary literature review has done to propose novel design of Harvesters, than CAD model is prepared. After that numerical modeling is done through Ansys software, after that analytical modeling has been done. Now we have to prepare these analysis ready devices. After that experimental setup for these devices has been developed, which will later be utilized for the testing and characterization between different developed harvesters. And finally results will be gathered.

Benefits of the Project

•The successful implementation of this research will be of great help in the field of power harvesting.

•As for the economic significance is concerned, the tools and devices use in this research is optimum cost and easily available.

Ease of construction, availability of testing facilities will be helpful in the significance and practical implication of this research

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The developed BEHs are cantilever-type and are comprised of a wound coil, permanent magnet, an airfoil, cantilever beam, and a support. Harvesters are characterized in-lab under different vibration levels and are subjected to variable speed air surges.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other IndustriesCore Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate ActionRequired Resources
Item Name Type No. of Units Per Unit Cost (in Rs) Total (in Rs)
Total in (Rs) 36900
Vibration shaker Equipment130003000
Neodymium magnets Equipment201002000
Accelerometres Equipment56003000
Experimental setup fabrication from wood Equipment150005000
DAQ Card Equipment11000010000
Anemometer Equipment145004500
Copper and other wires Equipment110001000
Variable speed Exhaust fan Equipment135003500
3D printing of airfoil Equipment110001000
Piezoelectric material Equipment110001000
Air Duct Equipment110001000
Double tape Equipment2200400
Aluminium beams Equipment27501500

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