Robust Wireless Skin Sensor Networks for Long-term Fatigue Crack Monitoring of Bridges

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(449)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Iowa Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: May 15, 2020
Solicitation Number: 1495
Partners: IADOT, KS, NC, SC
Contractor(s): Iowa State University
Status: Contract signed
Est. Completion Date: May 31, 2024
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Mar 21, 2024
Contract End Date: May 31, 2024
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $540,000.00
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $600,000.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Khyle Clute
Khyle.Clute@iowadot.us
Phone: 515-239-1646
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Hoda Azari
hoda.azari@dot.gov
Phone: 202-493-3064
Study Champion(s): Michael Todsen
michael.todsen@iowadot.us
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Iowa Department of Transportation 2020 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- --
Iowa Department of Transportation 2021 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- --
Iowa Department of Transportation 2022 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- --
Iowa Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- --
Iowa Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- --
Kansas Department of Transportation 2020 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour
Kansas Department of Transportation 2021 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour
Kansas Department of Transportation 2022 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour
Kansas Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour
Kansas Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2020 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2021 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2022 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2020 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2021 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2022 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert

Study Description

Fatigue-induced cracks are of great concern to the Departments of Transportation. An important number of bridges in the country are fracture critical bridges that are vulnerable to fatigue cracks due to the brittle nature of their failure modes. Localizing and monitoring fatigue cracks is critical for determining retrofitting and maintenance plans. However, the localization process is difficult. This process is typically conducted via visual inspections, and sometime leveraging nondestructive evaluation techniques. Both methods require an inspector to be involved, are time consuming, and do not guarantee that a fatigue crack would be discovered on-time.

A solution is to deploy sensors, but the commercially available solutions do not allow for the discovery of new fatigue cracks, because these sensors are relatively very small in comparison to the geometries (i.e., girders) to be monitored. The recent pooled fund effort TPF-5(328) conducted research on leveraging a large skin-type sensor that could easily be deployed over large areas in order to localize and monitor fatigue cracks. The research project was successful in demonstrating the capability of the technology both in a laboratory environment and in the field.

Objectives

The objective of this proposed project is to enable large-scale deployments in the United States by addressing further essential development needs uncovered during the previous research to achieve more robust, accurate, and flexible crack monitoring using the wireless skin sensor network.

Scope of Work

The work plan is divided into three main research tasks. Task 1 is to deploy the sensing system in the field and collect data. Task 2 is to develop the integrated sensing system. Task 3 is to formulate algorithms and models. The project’s schedule is anticipated to run over a period of five years. The schedule is separated into six deliverables and three research phases. The entire work plan is provided as an attachment at the bottom of this page.

Phase 1 (P1) is expected to run over the first three years of the project with an approximated budget of $550,000. It consists of developing and validating a second generation sensing system (the first generation sensing system is the outcome from TPF-5(328)). Generation II will require the digitalization of the sensing board and development of signal processing algorithms for crack detection based on realistic field data deployment strategies (deliverables 1-4).

Phase 2 (P2) is expected to run over one year subsequent to the completion of P1, with an approximated budget of $250,000. It consists of deploying the Generation II sensing system, which includes on-board software capable of notifying infrastructure operators with fatigue crack alarms (deliverable 5).

Phase 3 (P3) is expected to run over one year subsequent to the completion of P2, with an approximated budget of $200,000. It consists of validating the autonomous functionalities of Generation II (deliverable 6).

Comments

Funding Desired annual commitment from each state is $30,000 per year for 5 years for a total of $150,000 per state. Commitment covers travel for an in-person meeting two or three times throughout the life of the project. Specific meetings and locations to be determined during the project.

*February 27, 2020 update : Moving forward as a pooled fund and developing a full proposal of work to cover Phase 1.

Additional partners are always welcome and will be needed to complete desired Phase II and III efforts. Please reach out to the Lead Agency Contact at any time.

Subjects: Bridges, Other Structures, and Hydraulics and Hydrology Maintenance Materials and Construction Pavement Design, Management, and Performance

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
Quarterly Report: December 2023 TPF-5(449)_2023_Q4.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2023 TPF-5(449)_2023_Q3.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: June 2023 TPF-5(449)_2023_Q2.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: March 2023 TPF-5(449)_2023_Q1.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: December 2022 TPF-5(449)_2022_Q4.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2022 TPF-5(449)_2022_Q3.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: June 2022 TPF-5(449)_2022_Q2.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: March 2022 TPF-5(449)_2022_Q1.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: December 2021 TPF-5(449)_2021_Q4.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2021 TPF-5(449)_2021_Q3.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Approval of SP&R Waiver Approval of SP&R Waiver.pdf Memorandum Public
TPF-5(449) - Scope of Work TPF-5(449) - Scope of Work.pdf Work Plan Public
Quarterly Report: June 2021 TPF-5(449)_2021_Q2.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: March 2021 TPF-5(449)_2021_Q1.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: December 2020 TPF-5(449)_2020_Q4.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2020 TPF-5(449)_2020_Q3_Laflamme 736.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: June 2020 TPF-5(449)_2020_Q2_Laflamme 736.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
TPF-5(449) Acceptance Letter TPF 5(449) - Acceptance Letter.pdf Memorandum Public
Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
Approved Waiver Letter Approval of SP&R Waiver Pooled Fund Solicitation #1495.pdf Memorandum Public
Scope of Work Scope of Work.pdf Work Plan Public

Robust Wireless Skin Sensor Networks for Long-term Fatigue Crack Monitoring of Bridges

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(449)
Lead Organization: Iowa Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: May 15, 2020
Solicitation Number: 1495
Partners: IADOT, KS, NC, SC
Contractor(s): Iowa State University
Status: Contract signed
Est. Completion Date: May 31, 2024
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Mar 21, 2024
Contract End Date: May 31, 2024
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $540,000.00
Total Commitments Received: $600,000.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Khyle Clute
Khyle.Clute@iowadot.us
Phone: 515-239-1646
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Hoda Azari
hoda.azari@dot.gov
Phone: 202-493-3064
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Iowa Department of Transportation 2020 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- -- -- Transfer.Research@iowadot.us
Iowa Department of Transportation 2021 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- -- -- Transfer.Research@iowadot.us
Iowa Department of Transportation 2022 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- -- -- Transfer.Research@iowadot.us
Iowa Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- -- -- Transfer.Research@iowadot.us
Iowa Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 Michael Todsen -- -- -- Transfer.Research@iowadot.us
Kansas Department of Transportation 2020 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour 785-291-3847 David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Kansas Department of Transportation 2021 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour 785-291-3847 David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Kansas Department of Transportation 2022 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour 785-291-3847 David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Kansas Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour 785-291-3847 David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Kansas Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 Calvin Reed David Behzadpour 785-291-3847 David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2020 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley 919-707-6664 cbradley8@ncdot.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2021 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley 919-707-6664 cbradley8@ncdot.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2022 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley 919-707-6664 cbradley8@ncdot.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley 919-707-6664 cbradley8@ncdot.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 David Snoke Curtis Bradley 919-707-6664 cbradley8@ncdot.gov
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2020 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert 803-737-6691 SwygertTL@scdot.org
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2021 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert 803-737-6691 SwygertTL@scdot.org
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2022 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert 803-737-6691 SwygertTL@scdot.org
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert 803-737-6691 SwygertTL@scdot.org
South Carolina Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 Rodrick Tucker Terry Swygert 803-737-6691 SwygertTL@scdot.org

Study Description

Study Description

Fatigue-induced cracks are of great concern to the Departments of Transportation. An important number of bridges in the country are fracture critical bridges that are vulnerable to fatigue cracks due to the brittle nature of their failure modes. Localizing and monitoring fatigue cracks is critical for determining retrofitting and maintenance plans. However, the localization process is difficult. This process is typically conducted via visual inspections, and sometime leveraging nondestructive evaluation techniques. Both methods require an inspector to be involved, are time consuming, and do not guarantee that a fatigue crack would be discovered on-time.

A solution is to deploy sensors, but the commercially available solutions do not allow for the discovery of new fatigue cracks, because these sensors are relatively very small in comparison to the geometries (i.e., girders) to be monitored. The recent pooled fund effort TPF-5(328) conducted research on leveraging a large skin-type sensor that could easily be deployed over large areas in order to localize and monitor fatigue cracks. The research project was successful in demonstrating the capability of the technology both in a laboratory environment and in the field.

Objectives

The objective of this proposed project is to enable large-scale deployments in the United States by addressing further essential development needs uncovered during the previous research to achieve more robust, accurate, and flexible crack monitoring using the wireless skin sensor network.

Scope of Work

The work plan is divided into three main research tasks. Task 1 is to deploy the sensing system in the field and collect data. Task 2 is to develop the integrated sensing system. Task 3 is to formulate algorithms and models. The project’s schedule is anticipated to run over a period of five years. The schedule is separated into six deliverables and three research phases. The entire work plan is provided as an attachment at the bottom of this page.

Phase 1 (P1) is expected to run over the first three years of the project with an approximated budget of $550,000. It consists of developing and validating a second generation sensing system (the first generation sensing system is the outcome from TPF-5(328)). Generation II will require the digitalization of the sensing board and development of signal processing algorithms for crack detection based on realistic field data deployment strategies (deliverables 1-4).

Phase 2 (P2) is expected to run over one year subsequent to the completion of P1, with an approximated budget of $250,000. It consists of deploying the Generation II sensing system, which includes on-board software capable of notifying infrastructure operators with fatigue crack alarms (deliverable 5).

Phase 3 (P3) is expected to run over one year subsequent to the completion of P2, with an approximated budget of $200,000. It consists of validating the autonomous functionalities of Generation II (deliverable 6).

Comments

Funding Desired annual commitment from each state is $30,000 per year for 5 years for a total of $150,000 per state. Commitment covers travel for an in-person meeting two or three times throughout the life of the project. Specific meetings and locations to be determined during the project.

*February 27, 2020 update : Moving forward as a pooled fund and developing a full proposal of work to cover Phase 1.

Additional partners are always welcome and will be needed to complete desired Phase II and III efforts. Please reach out to the Lead Agency Contact at any time.

Subjects: Bridges, Other Structures, and Hydraulics and Hydrology Maintenance Materials and Construction Pavement Design, Management, and Performance

Title File/Link Type Private
TPF-5(449) Acceptance Letter TPF 5(449) - Acceptance Letter.pdf Memorandum Public
Approval of SP&R Waiver Approval of SP&R Waiver.pdf Memorandum Public
Quarterly Report: June 2020 TPF-5(449)_2020_Q2_Laflamme 736.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2020 TPF-5(449)_2020_Q3_Laflamme 736.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: December 2020 TPF-5(449)_2020_Q4.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: March 2021 TPF-5(449)_2021_Q1.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: June 2021 TPF-5(449)_2021_Q2.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2021 TPF-5(449)_2021_Q3.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: December 2021 TPF-5(449)_2021_Q4.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: March 2022 TPF-5(449)_2022_Q1.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: June 2022 TPF-5(449)_2022_Q2.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2022 TPF-5(449)_2022_Q3.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: December 2022 TPF-5(449)_2022_Q4.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: March 2023 TPF-5(449)_2023_Q1.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: June 2023 TPF-5(449)_2023_Q2.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2023 TPF-5(449)_2023_Q3.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: December 2023 TPF-5(449)_2023_Q4.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
TPF-5(449) - Scope of Work TPF-5(449) - Scope of Work.pdf Work Plan Public
Title File/Link Type Private
Approved Waiver Letter Approval of SP&R Waiver Pooled Fund Solicitation #1495.pdf Memorandum Public
Scope of Work Scope of Work.pdf Work Plan Public

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