Development of low cost sensors for monitoring of structures

In the last years, in Italy, due to the recent catastrophic collapses, an increasing amount of resources has been invested in the maintenance of existing infrastructures. In particular, the monitoring of the structural “health” has assumed a crucial role in the assessment of structures and infrastructures. The technological advancement obtained in the field of informatics and electronic has allowed to move from a discrete and partial control of the structural conditions to a continuous and complete Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Different techniques may be applied and the Operational Modal Analysis (OMA), among others, aims at identifying the health status of the structure by the modal properties when is under its operating conditions. This paper compares the results of OMA technique using the vibration data obtained by two different sensors equipment applied to an existing bridge located in Benevento, Italy. A dynamic test was performed in 2020 by using a low cost experimental equipment specially designed and developed by the University of Sannio. The tests results have been compared with the data obtained on the same bridge in 2018 by using a commercial and more expensive sensors equipment. The main purpose of the comparison is to support the “homemade” equipment development identifying the aspects on which to improve the same.