Detection, identification, and quantification of sensor fault

In structural health monitoring (SHM) and control, the structure can be instrumented with a redundant sensor network, which can be utilized in sensor fault diagnosis. In this study, the objective is to detect, identify, and quantify a sensor fault using the structural response data from the sensor network. Seven different sensor fault types are investigated and modelled: bias, gain, drifting, precision degradation, complete failure, noise, and constant with noise. Each sensor in the network is modelled using the minimum mean square error (MMSE) estimation and the sensor fault is identified and quantified using the multiple hypothesis test utilizing the generalized likelihood ratio (GLR). The proposed approach is experimentally verified with a sensor network assembled on a wooden bridge. Different sensor faults are simulated by modifying a single sensor. The method is able to detect a sensor fault, identify and correct the faulty sensor, as well as identify and quantify the fault type.