Autonomous Early Warning System for Monitoring Critical Infrastructure Elements Using Smart Multi-sensors

Monitoring and managing the health of critical structures has been identified as a key approach to define performance parameters in realizing the next generation of industrial manufacturing, production and operation (Industry 4.0 principles in Europe). However, stakeholders today are facing challenges in handling the data acquired from the sensors along with the complexities in post processing for improved productivity and safety standards. Although the currently available state-of-the-art sensors are capable of collection and communication of structural health related aspects, the complexity associated with the data processing scheme and effective wireless transmission of large data-volumes for real-time decision making hinders its value-add for industrial applications. In this context, we propose an early warning system, using smart multi-sensors, with the capability for on-board processing and data logging. Although the developed system could be applied for a wide variety of use-cases, across several industries (including aerospace, automotive and marine), we employ the same for monitoring the health of critical infrastructure elements in this study. Along with shorter decision making timelines, the developed solution would ensure increased cost savings due to a higher degree of automation, increased efficiency, robustness and safety of the critical structures and/or systems.