WO2020008246A1

WO2020008246A1 - System to monitor an engineering structure and a method to operate the same

Info

Publication number: WO2020008246A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/056005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Krishna Murthy B.K.
Original assignee: B K Krishna Murthy
Priority date: 2018-07-03
Filing date: 2018-08-09
Publication date: 2020-01-09

Abstract

System to monitor an engineering structure and a method to operate the same are provided. The system includes a plurality of sensors embedded within corresponding one or more hollow spaces in a pre-defined manner. The one or more hollow spaces are associated with a grid structure of an engineering structure. The plurality of sensors is configured to sense one or more parameters associated to the engineering structure in real-time. The system also includes a processing subsystem operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The processing subsystem is configured to process the one or more parameters sensed by the corresponding plurality of sensors. The processing subsystem is also configured to analyse one or more processed parameters to monitor the engineering structure in real-time.

Description

SYSTEM TO MONITOR AN ENGINEERING STRUCTURE AND A METHOD

TO OPERATE THE SAME

This International Application claims priority from a complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 201841024747, filed on July 03, 2018 and titled “SYSTEM TO MONITOR AN ENGINEERING STRUCTURE AND A METHOD TO OPERATE THE SAME”.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to structure health monitoring, and more particularly to a system to monitor an engineering structures and a method to operate the same.

BACKGROUND

Process of damage detection, reinforcement and characterization strategy for engineering structure is referred as structure health monitoring. Different ways of monitoring health of the structure are implemented with growth in technology. In one approach, a system includes a surface detection module and a processing means which is configured to detect and represent each relevant structural element in three- dimensional means. Such system also includes a reinforcement detection module which is configured to detect position, orientation and diameter of any reinforcement as well as voids, inclusions, cracks and other defects inside each relevant structural element. However, in such system, identifying a correct reinforcement module in a complex structure is a difficult task. In such a situation, the selection of an incorrect reinforcement module gives raise to inaccuracies and hence reduces efficiency of the system. Moreover, the health detection of the structure using such system are marred with a time delay. Due to such time delays, the health monitoring of the structure cannot happen in real time. Also, as such system is fixed to the structure, the system becomes immobile. Such immobility of the system contributes to wastage of resources and time.

Hence, there is a need for an improved system to monitor an engineering structure and a method to operate the same to address the aforementioned issues. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, a system to monitor an engineering structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of sensors embedded within corresponding one or more hollow spaces in a pre-defined manner. The one or more hollow spaces are associated with a grid structure of an engineering structure. The plurality of sensors is configured to sense one or more parameters associated to the engineering structure in real-time. The system also includes a processing subsystem operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The processing subsystem is configured to process the one or more parameters sensed by the corresponding plurality of sensors. The processing subsystem is also configured to analyse one or more processed parameters to monitor the engineering structure in real-time.

In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, a method to monitor an engineering structure is provided. The method includes embedding a plurality of sensors within corresponding one or more hollow spaces in a pre-defined manner based on a grid structure associated with an engineering structure. The method also includes enabling the plurality of sensors to sense one or more parameters associated with the engineering structure in real-time. The method also includes processing the sensed one or more parameters for monitoring the engineering structure in real-time.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system to monitor an engineering structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the system to monitor health of a building of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing steps involved in a method for monitoring an engineering structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprise", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms“a”, “an”, and“the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system to monitor an engineering structure and a method to operate the same. The system includes a plurality of sensors embedded within corresponding one or more hollow spaces in a pre-defined manner. The one or more hollow spaces are associated with a grid structure of an engineering structure. The plurality of sensors is configured to sense one or more parameters associated to the engineering structure in real-time. The system also includes a processing subsystem operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The processing subsystem is configured to process the one or more parameters sensed by the corresponding plurality of sensors. The processing subsystem is also configured to analyse one or more processed parameters to monitor the engineering structure in real time.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system (10) to monitor an engineering structure (20) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term“engineering structure” is defined as a series of connected plurality of elements which together forms an arrangement which can resist an external load applied on the arrangement and simultaneously providing adequate rigidity. In one embodiment, the engineering structure (20) may be formed by one or more of beams, columns, cables and slabs. In one exemplary embodiment, the engineering structure may correspond to a building, a dam, a road, a bridge, a retaining wall or the like.

The system (10) includes a plurality of sensors embedded within corresponding one or more hollow spaces (40) in a pre-defined manner. The one or more hollow spaces (40) are associated with a grid structure of an engineering structure (20). As used herein, grid structure is defined as an architectural design designed for the engineering structure (20) which is used to align and size objects within a given measurement designed in the grid structure. In one embodiment, the plurality of sensors (20) may include at least one of an inertial sensor such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a magnetometer, digital light sensor, a mensuration sensor, a pressure sensor, a weight sensor and the like.

In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more hollow spaces (40) may correspond to at least one of a vertical structure and a horizontal structure. In such embodiment, the vertical structure and the horizontal structure may correspond to a column and a pillar of a building respectively. In one embodiment, the plurality of sensors (30) may be embedded within the one or more hollow cylinders at a time of construction of the engineering structure (20) or any time after the construction of the engineering structure (20) by using the string attached to the plurality of sensors (30). In such embodiment, the one or more hollow structures (40) of the constructed engineering structure (20) may be provided with an opening through which the plurality of sensors (30) may be operated through the string.

Furthermore, the plurality of sensors (30) is configured to sense one or more parameters associated to the engineering structure in real-time. In one embodiment, the one or more parameters may include at least one of acceleration, angular rate, pressure, weight, humidity, magnetic field surrounding the body and luminance. In such embodiment, the one or more parameters may be determined to know health of the engineering structure (20). Furthermore, the plurality of sensors (30) is embedded within the one or more hollow spaces (40) in the pre-defined manner. In one embodiment, the pre-defined manner may correspond to a string being attached to the plurality of sensors (30), wherein the string may be configured to operate and position the plurality of sensors (30) within the corresponding one or more hollow spaces (40).

More specifically, each of the plurality of sensors (30) may be attached with the string. Consequently, the plurality of string may be placed within the one or more hollow spaces (40) upon operating the string. In such embodiment, operating the string may correspond to moving or pushing the plurality of sensors (30) through the corresponding one or more hollow spaces (30). Operating the string may also correspond to removing or pulling the plurality of sensors (30) away from the corresponding one or more hollow spaces (40). In one specific embodiment, the plurality of sensors (30) may be embedded with a through service technology. As used herein, the through service technology is defined as professional services designed to facilitate the use of technology by one or more enterprises and one or more end users. In such embodiment, the through service technology may be utilised by a processing subsystem (50) to enhance the health prediction of the engineering structure (20). In one exemplary embodiment, the through service technology which may be embedded within the plurality of sensors (30) may enable a creation of a comparable experience in accelerating and troubleshooting the planning and real time execution processes of the engineering structure (20) in an augmented reality world before implementing them in a physical world.

In one further embodiment, the plurality of sensors (30) may further include a grid identity module (GIM) which may be placed within the one or more hollow spaces (40). The GIM may be configured to store a plurality of pre-defined information which may be related to the engineering structure (20). The plurality of information which may be stored in the GIM may be retrieved when necessary. In addition, the GIM may also update the plurality of information stored based on the one or more parameters sensed by the corresponding plurality of parameters. In one specific embodiment, the plurality of pre-defined information which may be stored in the GIM may include details which may be related to preparation of the engineering structure (20), deriving a report on the construction of the engineering structure (20), type of the plurality of sensors (30) which may be embedded within the one or more hollow structures (40) of the engineering structures (20). In one specific embodiment, the plurality of pre defined information may include a preliminary information which may be conducted at a ground level and may be stored within the GIM.

In one embodiment, the grid structure may be designed based on a plurality of elements such as a land space available for the engineering structure (20) to be built, latitudinal and longitudinal values of a geographical location of the engineering structure (20) and the like. In such embodiment, the grid structure may include a central line which may act as a referral area within the geographical location of the engineering structure (20) based on which the one or more hollow spaces (40) may be constructed. Furthermore, the plurality of parameters may be places within the one or more hollow spaces (40) by keeping the central line as the reference.

The system (10) also includes the processing subsystem (50) operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors (30). The processing subsystem (50) is configured to process the one or more parameters sensed by the corresponding plurality of sensors (30). Referring back to the above-mentioned embodiment, the one or more parameters which may be sensed by the corresponding plurality of parameters may be processed in order to determine the health of the engineering structure (20). Furthermore, the processing subsystem (50) is also configured to analyse one or more processed parameters to monitor the engineering structure (20) in real-time. In one embodiment, the one or more processed parameters may be analysed with reference to a pre-defined data set to determine the health condition of the engineering structure (20).

In one specific embodiment, the processing subsystem (50) may correspond to a grid master which may be placed or attached on at least one part of the engineering structure (20). In such embodiment, the processing subsystem (50) may acquire and analyse the one or more parameters of the engineering structure (20) in real time.

In one exemplary embodiment, the processing subsystem (50) may monitor the health of the engineering building based on an artificial intelligence technique. As used herein, the artificial intelligence technique is defined as a type of intelligence demonstrate by a machine which is in contrast to the natural intelligence demonstrated by humans.

In one further embodiment, the system (10) may further include a memory (not shown) operatively coupled to the processing subsystem (50). The memory is configured to store the one or more parameters. In one exemplary embodiment, execution of the engineering structure (20), wherein the plurality of pre-defined information may be derived from the GIM may be viewed by a person on a display which may be attached to at least one part of the engineering structure (20). In such embodiment, the user may view the plurality of information in a form of a holographic image. In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sensors (30) may be configured to sense one or more day to day activities of the user within the constructed engineering structure (20). In yet another embodiment, the plurality of sensors (30) may be configured to sense the one or more parameters which may be relate to accidental or natural calamities which may be processed by the processing subsystem (50) in order to predict any future compliance with the engineering structural (20) failure such as an improper engineering structural design, natural disasters and the like. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sensors (30) may be communicatively coupled to the processing subsystem (50) through an internet medium enabling the system (10) to function under internet of things (IoT).

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of sensors (30) may be further configured to sense a plurality of internal parameters of the engineering structure (20). In one embodiment, the plurality of internal parameters may include an efficiency of energy consumption from one or more devises such as an air conditioner, power supply within the engineering structure (20), water management within the engineering structure (20) and the like. In such embodiment, the plurality of sensors (30) may transmit the plurality of internal parameters of the engineering structure (20) to the processing subsystem (50) through a communication medium such as the internet medium and may enable the system to work as internet of anything (IoA) to monitor the engineering structure (20).

In operation, the grid structure which forms a fundament for the engineering structure (20) is constructed along with a central axis, wherein the central axis acts as a base for the grid structure. Consequently, keeping the central line of the grid structure as the referral area within the geographical location of the engineering structure (20), the one or more hollow spaces (40) are constructed. Furthermore, the plurality of sensors (30) along with the GIM are attached with the string and are placed within the one or more hollow spaces (40), and the plurality of sensors (40) are configured to sense the one or more parameters of the engineering structure (20). Also, the processing subsystem (50) which is operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors (30) receives the one or more parameters sensed by the corresponding plurality of sensors (30). Further, on receiving the one or more parameters, the processing subsystem (50) will process the one or more parameters and further analyse the one or more processed parameters in real-time based on the pre-defined data set to determine the health of the engineering structure (20).

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the system (60) to monitor health of a building (70) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A grid structure (not shown) for the building (70) is created based on a central line which is kept as a referral mark to construct the building (70). A plurality of pillars (80) and a plurality of columns (90) for the building (70) are constructed based on the central axis. A plurality of sensors (100) is attached with a string (110). The plurality of sensors (100) is embedded within the plurality of pillars (80) or the plurality of columns (90) upon operating the string (110). In addition, a grid identity module (GIM) is also embedded within at least one of the plurality of pillars (80) or the plurality of columns (90). The GIM includes a plurality of details made to create the grid structure at a ground level and a pre-defined set of parameters which acts as a reference.

Furthermore, the plurality of sensors (100) is embedded with a through- service technology. The plurality of sensors (100) embedded within the plurality of pillars (80) or the plurality of columns (90) includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a light sensor, a pressure sensor and a weight sensor which are configured to sense a plurality of parameters of the building such as acceleration, angular rate, pressure, weight, humidity, magnetic field surrounding the body and luminance.

Consequently, the plurality of parameters which are sensed by the corresponding plurality of sensors (100) are transmitted to a processing subsystem (120) to process the plurality of parameters. Further, the plurality of processed parameters is analysed by the processing subsystem (120) based on the pre-defined set of parameters. Consequently, based on the plurality of analysed parameters, the health of the building (70) is monitored in real-time.

Furthermore, the plurality of analysed parameters is transmitted to a memory (130) to store the plurality of analysed parameters and the monitored health of the building (70). The monitored health of the building (70) is transmitted to a display (140) through a communication medium (150). A user can view the health of building (70) on the display (140) at any instant of time.

In addition, the grid structure for the building (70) has a plurality of properties such as 6 faces, 12 edges / nodes, 8 sides / vertices. The plurality of parameters is also configured to monitor one or more functions of the plurality of properties and how the plurality of properties communicates with each other.

In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sensors (70) may sense the user’s car while the user may be parking the car in a parking area of the building (70). In such a situation, the plurality of sensors (100) which may be embedded within the plurality of pillars (80) or the plurality of columns (90) may enable the car to park in the allotted parking area. The plurality of sensors (100) may also detect the energy within the building as the car is being parked which may further enable the processing subsystem (120) to generate an alert to the car regarding the distance between any obstructions within the parking area of the building (70).

In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sensors (100) may be embedded within the plurality of pillars (80) or the plurality of columns (90) which may be corresponding to a road. In such embodiment, the road may include the plurality of properties which may correspond to the plurality of pillars (80) or the plurality of columns (90) which may include 1 face, 4 edges / nodes, 4 sides / vertices, 4 legs. Furthermore, the plurality of sensors (100) may be configured to sense the plurality of parameters which may be related to the road. The plurality of sensed properties may be transmitted to the processing subsystem (120) for further processing and analysis of the plurality of sensed parameters to monitor the health of the road. In such embodiment, the plurality of sensors (100) which may be embedded within the road may also be configured to monitor the health of the road.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing steps involved in a method (200) for monitoring an engineering structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (200) includes embedding a plurality of sensors within corresponding one or more hollow spaces in a pre-defined manner based on a grid structure associated with an engineering structure in step 210. In one embodiment, embedding the plurality of sensors within the corresponding one or more hollow spaces in the pre-defined manner may include positioning the plurality of sensors by operating a string attached to the corresponding plurality of sensors within the one or more hollow space.

The method (200) also includes enabling the plurality of sensors to sense one or more parameters associated with the engineering structure in real-time in step 220. In one embodiment, enabling the plurality of sensors to sense the one or more parameters may include enabling at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a light sensor, a pressure sensor and a weight sensor to sense the corresponding at least one of acceleration, angular rate, pressure, weight, humidity, magnetic field surrounding the body and luminance of the engineering structure.

Furthermore, the method (200) includes processing the sensed one or more parameters for monitoring the engineering structure in real-time in step 230. In one embodiment, processing the sensed one or more parameters may include processing the sensed one or more parameters for monitoring health of the engineering structure in real-time

In one further embodiment, the method (200) may further include storing the sensed one or more parameters in a memory device. In such embodiment, the method (200) may further include analysing the one or more sensed parameters which may be stored in the memory device. In such embodiment, analysing the one or more sensed parameters may include analysing the one or more sensed parameters based on a pre defined data set and monitoring the health of the engineering structure based on the one or more analysed parameters.

In one specific embodiment, the method (200) may further include displaying the monitored health of the engineering structure on a display which may be operatively coupled to the at least one part of the engineering device.

Various embodiments of the system to monitor an engineering structure and a method to operate the same enable the system to monitor and predict the health of the engineering structure in real-time. Also, as the system is mobile in nature, the system can be attached or detached from the engineering structure depending on the requirement of the system within the engineering structure. Furthermore, such mobility reduces the wastage of resources and the time. In addition, the system provides an end to end solution for the construction industry. In addition, the system also predicts the future compliance with the engineering structural failure such as improper structural design, natural disasters and the like. Also, the plurality of sensors can be used as laser lights, reflection which can be used as surveying instruments for making, levelling, orientation and the like of the engineering structure.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependant on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A system (10) to monitor an engineering structure (20) comprising: a plurality of sensors (30) embedded within corresponding one or more hollow space (40) in a pre-defined manner, wherein the one or more hollow spaces (40) are associated with a grid structure of an engineering structure (20), and configured to sense one or more parameters associated to the engineering structure (20) in real-time; a processing subsystem (50) operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors (30), and configured to: process the one or more parameters sensed by the corresponding plurality of sensors; and analyse one or more processed parameters to monitor the engineering structure (20) in real-time.

2. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors (30) comprises at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a light sensor, a pressure sensor and a weight sensor.

3. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters comprises at least one of acceleration, angular rate, pressure, weight, humidity, magnetic field surrounding the body and luminance.

4. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more hollow space (40) corresponds to at least one of a vertical structure and a horizontal structure.

5. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined manner corresponds to a string being attached to the plurality of sensors (30), wherein the string is configured to operate and position the plurality of sensors (30) within the corresponding one or more hollow space (40).

6. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a memory operatively coupled to the processing subsystem (50), and configured to store the one or more parameters.

7. A method (200) comprising: embedding a plurality of sensors within corresponding one or more hollow spaces in a pre-defined manner based on a grid structure associated with an engineering structure; (210) enabling the plurality of sensors to sense one or more parameters associated with the engineering structure in real-time; and (220) processing the sensed one or more parameters for monitoring the engineering structure in real-time. (230)

8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein embedding the plurality of sensors within the corresponding one or more hollow space in the pre-defined manner comprises positioning the plurality of sensors by operating a string attached to the corresponding plurality of sensors within the one or more hollow space.

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, further comprises storing the sensed one or more parameters in a memory device.