Integrated Sensor Fusion Device with an Optimized Mathematical Model to Monitor Civil Engineering Structures

Integrated sensor fusion is a new technique in which multiple sensors intelligently combine data to support application or system performance improvement software. With this method, many sensors combine data for accurate position and orientation information to overcome the inadequacy of each sensor. Data consolidation can be described as measuring the state of an entity as a mixture of data or information. This multidisciplinary field has several advantages, including increased confidence, reliability, and reduced ambiguity when measuring company conditions in engineered systems. This paper discusses the various applications of data fusion in civil engineering in recent years, and puts forward some potential advantages of data fusion in civil engineering. Mathematical modeling (MM) is the skill to transform challenges from application to tractable mathematical formulations that provide insight, answers, and instructions in the theoretical and numerical analysis of the original application. This article presented an integer linear programming mathematical model to divide building activities in a project to solve building planning problems. MMCE (Mathematical Modeling Conceptual Evaluation) introduced it to complete an accurate and quick estimation of civil systems such as traffic networks, structural systems, and building projects, becoming more and more achievable through omnipresent sensor networks and communications systems. By assessing the condition of the system, it can make better decisions more rapidly and better. This has enormous value and a variety of impacts. Fusion data is an essential element of system status assessment. Applications and needs for research are underlined for the future

Cloud-Based Collaborative 3D Modeling to Train Engineers for the Industry 4.0

In the present study, Autodesk Fusion 360 software (which includes the A360 environment) is used to train engineering students for the demands of the industry 4.0. Fusion 360 is a tool that unifies product lifecycle management (PLM) applications and 3D-modeling software (PDLM—product design and life management). The main objective of the research is to deepen the students’ perception of the use of a PDLM application and its dependence on three categorical variables: PLM previous knowledge, individual practices and collaborative engineering perception. Therefore, a collaborative graphic simulation of an engineering project is proposed in the engineering graphics subject at the University of La Laguna with 65 engineering undergraduate students. A scale to measure the perception of the use of PDLM is designed, applied and validated. Subsequently, descriptive analyses, contingency graphical analyses and non-parametric analysis of variance are performed. The results indicate a high overall reception of this type of experience and that it helps them understand how professionals work in collaborative environments. It is concluded that it is possible to respond to the demand of the industry needs in future engineers through training programs of collaborative 3D modeling environments

The GPS Assimilator: a Method for Upgrading Existing GPS User Equipment to Improve Accuracy, Robustness, and Resistance to Spoofing

Preprint of the 2010 ION GNSS Conference Portland, OR, September 21–24, 2010A conceptual method is presented for upgrading existing GPS user equipment, without requiring hardware or software modifications to the equipment, to improve the equipment’s position, velocity, and time (PVT) accuracy, to increase its PVT robustness in weak-signal or jammed environments, and to protect the equipment from counterfeit GPS signals (GPS spoofing). The method is embodied in a device called the GPS Assimilator that couples to the radio frequency (RF) input of an existing GPS receiver. The Assimilator extracts navigation and timing information from RF signals in its environment—including non-GNSS signals—and from direct baseband aiding provided, for example, by an inertial navigation system, a frequency reference, or the GPS user. The Assimilator optimally fuses the collective navigation and timing information to produce a PVT solution which, by virtue of the diverse navigation and timing sources on which it is based, is highly accurate and inherently robust to GPS signal obstruction and jamming. The Assimilator embeds the PVT solution in a synthesized set of GPS signals and injects these into the RF input of a target GPS receiver for which an accurate and robust PVT solution is desired. A prototype software-defined Assimilator device is presented with three example applications.Aerospace Engineerin

A comprehensive study on the microstructure and mechanical properties of arc girth welded joints of spiral welded high strength API X70 steel pipe

In the paper, the effect of welding technology on the microstructure and mechanical properties of girth welded joints was presented. Metallographic examinations based on light microscopy and SEM were conducted on girth welded joints of API X70 steel pipe. Research has shown that microstructure of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of MMA girth welded joints is not homogeneous and depends on the thermal history of each area during the welding process. Near the fusion line the zone is coarse, and further away there is a fine-grained zone. In the area of root passes the microstructure consists of recrystallized ferrite grains unlike to cap passes where the fine bainitic microstructure can be observed. In the case of MAG girth welded joints, the weld microstructure consists of primary austenite grains. The primary austenite boundaries serve as nucleation sites of ferrite. The microstructure of the HAZ varies continuously from a coarse—to fine-grained microstructure of the base material. The results of mechanical properties of girth welded joints are also presented. The hardness and strength of arc welded joints depend on welding filler materials as well as welding technology. The results of hardness distribution of MMA and MAG girth welded joints confirmed the results of microstructural evaluation

Damage identification in structural health monitoring: a brief review from its implementation to the Use of data-driven applications

The damage identification process provides relevant information about the current state of a structure under inspection, and it can be approached from two different points of view. The first approach uses data-driven algorithms, which are usually associated with the collection of data using sensors. Data are subsequently processed and analyzed. The second approach uses models to analyze information about the structure. In the latter case, the overall performance of the approach is associated with the accuracy of the model and the information that is used to define it. Although both approaches are widely used, data-driven algorithms are preferred in most cases because they afford the ability to analyze data acquired from sensors and to provide a real-time solution for decision making; however, these approaches involve high-performance processors due to the high computational cost. As a contribution to the researchers working with data-driven algorithms and applications, this work presents a brief review of data-driven algorithms for damage identification in structural health-monitoring applications. This review covers damage detection, localization, classification, extension, and prognosis, as well as the development of smart structures. The literature is systematically reviewed according to the natural steps of a structural health-monitoring system. This review also includes information on the types of sensors used as well as on the development of data-driven algorithms for damage identification.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

On the Security of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Protocol

Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) is the communications protocol currently being rolled out as part of next generation air transportation systems. As the heart of modern air traffic control, it will play an essential role in the protection of two billion passengers per year, besides being crucial to many other interest groups in aviation. The inherent lack of security measures in the ADS-B protocol has long been a topic in both the aviation circles and in the academic community. Due to recently published proof-of-concept attacks, the topic is becoming ever more pressing, especially with the deadline for mandatory implementation in most airspaces fast approaching. This survey first summarizes the attacks and problems that have been reported in relation to ADS-B security. Thereafter, it surveys both the theoretical and practical efforts which have been previously conducted concerning these issues, including possible countermeasures. In addition, the survey seeks to go beyond the current state of the art and gives a detailed assessment of security measures which have been developed more generally for related wireless networks such as sensor networks and vehicular ad hoc networks, including a taxonomy of all considered approaches.Comment: Survey, 22 Pages, 21 Figure

Degradation assessment of industrial composites using thermography

Thermographic inspection is a relatively new technique for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) which has been gathering increasing interest due to its relatively low cost hardware and extremely fast data acquisition properties. This technique is especially promising in the area of rapid automated damage detection and quantification. In collaboration with a major industry partner from the aerospace sector advanced thermography-based NDT software for impact damaged composites is introduced. The software is based on correlation analysis of time-temperature profiles in combination with an image enhancement process. The prototype software is aiming to a) better visualise the damages in a relatively easy-to-use way and b) automatically and quantitatively measure the properties of the degradation. Knowing that degradation properties play an important role in the identification of degradation types, tests and results on specimens which were artificially damaged have been performed and analyzed.EPSR