A new wireless sensor network module for health monitoring of civil structures

The work presents the results of a project concerning the study and the prototypal realization of an innovative low cost module for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) that would allow the measurement of internal displacements inside civil structures. A set of these sensors could also be part of wide Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). The basic working principle of the sensor is the Hall Effect. This effect is the result of a magnetic field applied to a conductor, which moves the electrons toward one of the extremes of the conductor itself generating an electric signal. The Hall Effect sensor measures the voltage variation, due to the variation in the distance between two equal sensors inserted in the structure undergoing deformation. The description of the sensor is given together with the explanation of its possible installation mode. Test results are presented with the discussion of possible practical use of sensors.