Deflection measurement using wireless inclination sensors for bridge

Bridge is an important component of modern transportation systems and deflection is an important index for bridge's safety evaluation. In this paper, a method of deflection measurement using wireless inclination sensors is presented. Firstly, based on various bridge deflection measuring methods, the method of deflection measurement using wireless inclinometer sensor is introduced. Secondly, a low-power wireless inclinometer sensor is designed using modularization way, and this kind of wireless sensor loaded with MAC protocol stack of TI can self-organize the network, measure the angle value and send the data to the coordinator. Then the deflection curve is displayed on PC. Finally, deflection measurement experiment is conducted on the bridge model. The experiment shows that the presented deflection measurement method is practical and reliable since the wireless inclination sensor in this method is easy to operate with no lines, and has extensive applicabilities and broad application prospects.