Wireless sensor networks for structure health monitoring: recent advances and future research directions

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a contemporary look at the current state‐of‐the‐art in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for structure health monitoring (SHM) applications and discuss the still‐open research issues in this field and, hence, to make the decision‐making process more effective and direct.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a comprehensive review of WSNs for SHM. It also introduces research challenges, opportunities, existing and potential applications. Network architecture and the state‐of‐the‐art wireless sensor communication technologies and standards are explained. Hardware and software of the existing systems are also clarified.

Findings

Existing applications and systems are presented along with their advantages and disadvantages. A comparison landscape and open research issues are also presented.

Originality/value

The paper presents a comprehensive and recent review of WSN systems for SHM applications along with open research issues.

Citation

Aygün, B. and Cagri Gungor, V. (2011), "Wireless sensor networks for structure health monitoring: recent advances and future research directions", Sensor Review, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 261-276. https://doi.org/10.1108/02602281111140038