A wireless smart PVDF sensor for structural health monitoring

A PVDF wireless smart sensor has been developed for monitoring structures on a large scale. PVDF is selected as the sensor element because of its flexibility, slim size, low cost and the ability of being integrated into wireless system. The introducing of the wireless technology eradicates the large amount of cable needed for installation, lowers cost and the overall energy consumption, and makes real-time monitoring possible as well. Four PVDF wireless sensor units have been built and tested in this study. The application of PVDF sensor at low frequencies has been explored. The approach of using PVDF sensor as a dynamic strain gauge has been demonstrated. The method of compensating the temperature effect of PVDF sensor due to the pyroelectric effect of PVDF film has also been investigated. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.