Commentary - (2025) Volume 14, Issue 6
Received: 01-Nov-2025, Manuscript No. sndc-26-179833;
Editor assigned: 03-Nov-2025, Pre QC No. P-179833;
Reviewed: 17-Nov-2025, QC No. Q-179833;
Revised: 24-Nov-2025, Manuscript No. R-179833;
Published:
29-Nov-2025
, DOI: 10.37421/2090-4886.2025.14.361
Citation: Duarte, Helena. ”Sensor Networks For Infrastructure Health Monitoring.” Int J Sens Netw Data Commun 14 (2025):361.
Copyright: © 2025 Duarte H. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
The increasing complexity and aging of civil infrastructure worldwide necessitate robust methods for continuous monitoring and assessment of structural health. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have emerged as a transformative technology in this domain, offering cost-effective and flexible solutions for data acquisition and real-time surveillance. One significant application area is the structural health monitoring (SHM) of bridges, where WSNs enable detailed strain and vibration analysis, crucial for early damage detection and ensuring structural integrity [1].
Beyond bridges, the dynamic response of critical structures such as tall buildings under seismic events is of paramount importance. Distributed fiber optic sensor networks provide a powerful means for this, offering high-resolution measurements over extended distances and enabling comprehensive analysis of structural behavior during such dynamic occurrences [2].
Concrete structures, a ubiquitous component of modern infrastructure, also benefit from intelligent monitoring systems. The integration of MEMS accelerometers into WSNs, coupled with advanced signal processing and machine learning algorithms, facilitates accurate damage detection and localization in concrete elements, even amidst environmental noise and sensor imperfections [3].
A critical challenge in the long-term deployment of WSNs for SHM is power management. Energy harvesting techniques, including solar, piezoelectric, and thermoelectric methods, are being explored to create self-powered networks. These advancements aim to extend network lifetime and reduce maintenance requirements in harsh structural environments [4].
Composite materials, often used in demanding applications, require specialized monitoring for damage initiation and propagation. Wireless acoustic emission sensor networks offer a promising approach, analyzing acoustic signals to detect and characterize cracks, thereby enhancing the reliability of SHM systems for these advanced materials [5].
The expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has further revolutionized infrastructure monitoring. IoT-enabled sensor networks are being deployed for real-time tracking of railway track health, utilizing vibration and strain sensors to identify defects and ensure proactive maintenance through cloud-based data analytics [6].
Aging infrastructure, such as dams, presents unique monitoring challenges. Distributed vibration monitoring systems employing wireless MEMS accelerometers are being developed to ensure long-term operation and detect anomalies that could pose risks to structural safety, with a focus on robust data transmission and power management [7].
Tunnel structures, subjected to various environmental and operational loads, also require comprehensive integrity assessment. Integrated wireless sensor networks, incorporating strain gauges, displacement sensors, and inclinometers, provide a framework for collecting and analyzing data to evaluate long-term performance and safety [8].
Offshore platforms, operating in highly corrosive and dynamic environments, benefit from specialized sensing technologies. Distributed Bragg reflector fiber optic sensors are employed to monitor strain and temperature variations, offering immunity to electromagnetic interference and resilience in harsh conditions, crucial for detecting fatigue and corrosion [9].
Finally, the preservation of historical buildings demands monitoring solutions that are both effective and aesthetically unobtrusive. Low-power, high-density wireless sensor networks are being designed to capture subtle structural changes, ensuring continuous monitoring without compromising the heritage value of these significant structures [10].
The application of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) in structural health monitoring (SHM) for bridges is a critical area of research. These systems are designed to capture real-time strain and vibration data, enabling continuous assessment of bridge integrity. The choice of sensors, data acquisition methods, and wireless communication protocols are key design considerations, with WSNs offering significant advantages in reducing installation costs and facilitating uninterrupted monitoring for early damage detection [1].
For seismic monitoring of tall buildings, distributed fiber optic sensor networks offer a sophisticated solution. These networks excel at providing high-resolution, distributed measurements of strain and temperature across vast structural lengths. This detailed data is instrumental in analyzing the dynamic response of buildings during seismic events, with scalability and electromagnetic immunity being significant advantages [2].
Intelligent SHM systems for concrete structures leverage WSNs integrated with MEMS accelerometers. The core of these systems lies in advanced signal processing and machine learning algorithms designed for precise damage detection and localization. Addressing challenges like environmental factors and sensor noise is crucial for achieving high accuracy and reliability in real-time monitoring [3].
The sustainability of WSNs in SHM hinges on effective power management. Energy harvesting technologies, including solar, piezoelectric, and thermoelectric approaches, are vital for creating self-powered networks. These methods aim to ensure long-term deployment capabilities in challenging structural settings by optimizing energy consumption and extending the operational lifespan of the networks [4].
Detecting damage in composite materials, such as crack initiation and propagation, requires specialized sensing. Wireless acoustic emission sensor networks are employed for this purpose, analyzing acoustic emission signals. The effectiveness of these systems is enhanced through sophisticated signal processing and data fusion techniques, leading to improved accuracy in damage localization and characterization [5].
The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled advanced real-time monitoring of critical infrastructure like railway tracks. IoT-enabled sensor networks, equipped with vibration and strain sensors, facilitate the detection of track defects. Cloud computing and data analytics play a crucial role in processing and visualizing this data, supporting proactive maintenance and safety assurance [6].
Monitoring aging dams presents unique demands for robust and low-cost sensor systems. Wireless distributed vibration monitoring systems utilizing MEMS accelerometers are designed for long-term operation. Key aspects include efficient data transmission protocols, effective power management strategies, and algorithms for identifying structural anomalies to ensure dam safety [7].
Structural health monitoring of tunnels involves detecting issues like cracks and deformations. Integrated wireless sensor networks, combining strain gauges, displacement sensors, and inclinometers, provide a comprehensive approach. The analysis of collected data is essential for assessing the long-term performance and safety of these underground structures [8].
Offshore platforms, exposed to harsh marine environments, benefit from specialized sensing technologies like distributed Bragg reflector fiber optic sensors. These sensors are adept at measuring strain and temperature, vital for identifying fatigue and corrosion. Their inherent immunity to electromagnetic interference and environmental resilience make them ideal for such demanding applications [9].
For the sensitive monitoring of historical buildings, low-power, high-density wireless sensor networks are crucial. These systems are designed to detect minute deformations and stress changes indicative of structural degradation. The focus is on efficient data aggregation and communication topologies that preserve the aesthetic integrity of the structures while ensuring continuous surveillance [10].
This collection of research highlights the advancements and diverse applications of sensor networks for structural health monitoring (SHM). Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are extensively used for monitoring bridges, concrete structures, dams, tunnels, and historical buildings, providing real-time data on strain, vibration, and deformation. Fiber optic sensor networks are employed for seismic monitoring of tall buildings and for offshore platforms, offering advantages in measurement resolution and environmental resilience. Innovations in energy harvesting are crucial for self-powered WSNs, ensuring long-term operational capabilities. Acoustic emission sensors are utilized for damage detection in composite materials, while IoT integration enhances real-time monitoring of railway tracks. The overarching goal is to improve the safety, longevity, and maintenance of critical infrastructure through sophisticated and continuous sensing technologies.
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