Sensors and Measurement Systems

The new Berlin main station: Long-term structural health monitoring by BAM

The working group’s activities cover the fields of innovative development of measurement systems and methods in particular to their applications as well as undertaking complex and specific measuring tasks. Therefore primarily electrical sensors and electronic measurement systems are used.

The objective is to increase the technical safety and reliability of materials, structures, technological constructions and equipment as well as to prolong serviceable life. Therefore the usage of early-warning systems for protecting people and critical infrastructure gains in importance.

Area and scope of the working group's research

Hopkinson bar with temperature chamber

Structural health monitoring (SHM)

SHM allows evaluating global and local structural properties on the basis of periodically measured data. This enables the early detection of safety relevant changes and forecasting of the further development of load-bearing characteristics.

• Early detection of damage and long-term structural health monitoring on buildings and infrastructure with a high risk potential (e.g. bridges)
• Development of problem-oriented measuring strategies
• Sensors and measurement systems for experimental stress analysis

Sensors and measuring techniques for containment and transport of dangerous goods

The working group supports approval procedures and research projects carried out by BAM Department 3 for experimental container tests. Furthermore it develops specific measuring techniques for condition monitoring of dangerous goods transportation.

• Instrumentation, inspection and use of sensors and measurement systems
• Data conditioning and processing
• Development and adaption of innovative concepts for condition monitoring

Characterisation and validation of sensors and measurement systems

State-of-the-art measuring and testing equipment is used for application-oriented characterisation and validation (partly calibration), such as:

• Reference measuring device for the revision of the physical quantity 'length' from metrology's point of view
• Climatic exposure test cabinets for investigating sensors and measurement systems
• Hopkinson bar for testing and characterisation of sensors under impact shock (temperature-dependent testing is also possible).

Sensors and measurement systems for environmental safety and security

Early hazard identification and data based estimation of their potentials are fundamental to initiate appropriate counter actions.

• Hazard identification (e.g. toxic gases)
• Accident detection (e.g. fire in a tunnel)
• Increasing reliability and efficiency of measurement systems using data fusion

Membership of the Nemo-network for tunnel safety and security (tusec)

Technologies

Sensor node of a self-configuring wireless sensor network

• Radio-based sensors
  • Self-configuring wireless sensor networks (WSN)
  • RFID in combination with sensors
• Data bus sensor systems
• Mobile gas sensors
• Piezoelectric sensors and actuators, guided Lamb waves
• Sensors and measurement systems for experimental mechanics

top