Patent ID: 7987728
Filing Date: 2011-08-02
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A system for unified monitoring of a concrete structure comprising: a concrete structure, a plurality of smart aggregate devices embedded in the concrete structure at desired locations, where each device comprises a small concrete housing including a coated piezoceramic transducer apparatus comprising a piezoceramic patch, two wires soldered directly to a top and a bottom of the patch and a waterproof, insulating coating, where the two wires extend out of the housing and are connected to wires extending out of the concrete structure, and where the devices are positioned in the structure before casting so that the waterproof, insulating coating is in direct contact with the concrete of the housing and with the piezoceramic patch; a generator coupled to a first smart aggregate device, an actuator device, where the generator is adapted to generate a signal transmitted to the actuator device via its wires inducing its patch to generate a first waveform that propagates through the structure; and a monitor coupled to one or more second smart aggregate devices, sensor devices, via their wires, where the monitor receives and evaluates a second waveform received by the sensors devices, where the system is adapted for unified monitoring of the concrete structure comprising: (1) early-age performance evaluation including casting, hydration, and strength development using a first harmonic waveform and receiving a second harmonic waveform to determine a harmonic amplitude correlating to a desired compressive strength, and (2) health evaluation including internal stresses, crack detection, and other physical forces in the structures, or an indication of a health of the structure before a failure of the structure can occur or damage index data about the structure during its life using a sine sweep first waveform and receiving a sweep second waveform to determine a damage index.