Application of MEMS-based accelerometer wireless sensor systems for monitoring of blast-induced ground vibration and structural health: a review

Ubiquitous wireless sensor network (WSN) enables low-cost monitoring applications such as blast-induced ground vibration (BIGV) and structural health monitoring (SHM). In particular, monitoring and analysing the ambiguous BIGV waves are essential requisite to control and protect surrounding grievous damage structures. Similarly, improving health and longevity of structures using WSN is a new facet that owes to diminish the low-cost installation. Recent advances in WSNs are forging new prospects for sensors. A variety of intelligent sensors are integrated into the wireless system to monitor environmental, and health of civil infrastructures. Considering the current trends in the area of development of wireless monitoring prototypes, Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) accelerometer sensors are widely prevalent owing to the small size and inexpensive. In general, BIGV waves are less intensity and low-frequency signals. Hence, it is essential to select an appropriate accelerometer to detect micro-vibration waves. The study exemplifies a summarised review of recently made MEMS-based accelerometer wireless systems for intelligent and reliable monitoring of BIGV and SHM since the last decade. This research effort focuses on the numerous adopted accelerometers and their characteristics such as sensitivity, noise density, measurement range, bandwidth, resolution, network topologies, and performance of designed systems to analyse the micro-vibration levels comprehensively.