A Semantic Model for Wireless Sensor Networks in Cognitive Buildings

Abstract

Cognitive buildings, being aware of their own performance, actively learn and adapt to the environment, enhancing comfort and safety of occupants. While the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, machine learning, reasoning, and augmented reality into cognitive building concepts has made substantial progress, the integration of structural health monitoring (SHM) and control systems into cognitive buildings has received little attention. In this paper, a semantic model for describing SHM and control systems associated with cognitive buildings is proposed. The semantic model, formally describing SHM and control systems components as well as interrelations between the components, serves as a basis to document, to manage, and to optimize cognitive buildings. Through the semantic model, a laboratory test structure, mimicking a cognitive building, and a prototype SHM and control system, which is installed on the laboratory test structure, are described using building information modeling (BIM). Both the cognitive building and the SHM and control system are physically implemented in the laboratory for validation tests. The results clearly demonstrate the ability of the semantic model to formally describe SHM and control systems associated with cognitive buildings.