Towards a microactuator-sensing network for the structural health monitoring of timber poles
| Authors: | Sebastian Oberst, Shahrokh Sepehrirahnama, Can Nerse, Zourab Brodzeli, Joseph C.S. Lai, Mark E. Mankowski, Tye Atkinson, Rachel A. Arango, Grant T. Kirker, Theo Evans |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Type: | Paper |
| Station: | Forest Products Laboratory |
| Source: | IRG paper, IRG/WP 23-50380 |
Abstract
Timber structures decay over time with degradation in their structural integrity. Changing environmental conditions, varying loads, exposure to moisture or insect attacks lead to changes in their vibrational response behaviour. Here we present a low-cost device used as a triggered exciter to enable the monitoring of the structural integrity of timber bearers or even power poles in electricity networks. The actuation is initiated by a novel purpose-built, calibrated spring-loaded piezo-electric exciter. The device is connected to a fibre-optical network with optical accelerometers to transmit signals over large distances for processing purposes with the potential to be connected to a sensing network. Preliminary results of the actuators are presented to highlight the robustness of the signals and the controllability of the force using simple screw fixations. Implications of these results and further work to enable practical structural health monitoring of timber poles will be discussed.