Bi-Objective Layout Optimization of a Wireless Sensor Network for Footbridge Monitoring

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have emerged as a potentially competitive structural monitoring technology. Most studies in the literature focus on network issues, such as energy consumption, network connectivity in order to improve the monitoring system efficiency and reliability. Nevertheless, the integration of the application aspects can provide further information for improving the monitoring system efficiency. This paper addresses the layout optimization of a WSN for a footbridge monitoring system considering the network energy consumption and sensor placement quality. Several important aspects including radio channel, data routing, and topology control are considered in the network energy model. The sensor placement is analyzed within a framework that can best capture the bridge properties. Simulation experiments exhibit that there is space for improvement on the overall systems performance.