Thesis
Automated manufacturing of smart tunnel segments
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2024
- Thesis identifier
- T16888
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201963337
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Tunnels, essential infrastructures, require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure their prolonged service life. While conventional methods heavily rely on expert human manpower, modern tunnel structural monitoring techniques, such as sensor-based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), are increasingly utilized in both existing and newly constructed tunnels. Despite providing valuable insights into post-construction structural behaviour, these methods often overlook the behaviour of individual precast elements, such as tunnel segments, before their installation. This thesis explores the concept of smart tunnel segments instrumented by robotic means to address this gap. In this project lab-scale tunnel segments were instrumented using a 6-axis robotic arm making them smart enabling their properties to be tracked from manufacturing through the operational phase of the tunnel. The research involves a comprehensive review of current tunnel instrumentation practices, identifying structural strains as the most monitored parameters. Vibrating Wire Strain Gauges (VWSGs) were identified as the most suitable sensors for this application due to their compatibility with a modular system and superior long-term properties, especially when embedded in concrete. Furthermore, the study identifies untapped potential in fully automated precast factories and proposes repurposing certain features of industrial robots to deploy VWSGs nodes via robotic pick-and-place. Through a novel evaluation framework, the research demonstrates the effectiveness of automated sensor deployment by robots. This includes the robotic installation of a pair of embedded VWSGs in lab-scale tunnel segments, thereby rendering them "smart," and subjecting them to repetitive flexural loadings to evaluate their performance and accuracy. The calculated strain transfer exhibits consistent and repeatable behaviour across segments. Finally, the thesis outlines the economic justification for smart segments, which outperform traditional on-site wired and wireless alternatives, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive and cost-effective tunnel maintenance strategy
- Advisor / supervisor
- Suryasentana, Stephen K.
- Resource Type
- DOI
- Date Created
- 2023
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PDF of thesis T16888 | 2024-04-29 | Público | Baixar |