Bridge Local Scour Monitoring System Using MEMS Sensor Zigbee Network

Wireless MEMS sensors network has been widely used in many fields. In this paper the MEMS pressure sensor is integrated on a sensor board with Zigbee sensor network for real-time local bridge scour depth monitoring during a flood. The wireless MEMS pressure sensor scour monitoring system has been developed and tested in the laboratory. Local scour is one of the major factors for bridge failure. Scour failures tend to occur suddenly and without prior warning or sign of distress to the structure. Bridges subject to periods of flood/high flow require monitoring during those times in order to protect the traveling public. This wireless MEMS sensors scour-monitoring system can measure both the processes of scouring/deposition and the variations of water level. Several experimental runs have been conducted in the flume to demonstrate the applicability of the MEMS sensors network system. The experimental results indicate that the real-time monitoring system has the potential for further applications in the field.