Framework for Bridge Scour Measurement Using Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID)

Scour around bridge piers can undermine the bridge integrity and cause catastrophic bridge failures. The goal of this coupled experimental and theoretical study is to set a framework for applying Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology to develop a bridge scour remote monitoring system. RFID involves the wireless exchange of information between a base station (reader) and a transponder via an antenna. The proposed bridge scour monitoring system utilizes the Return Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) of a transponder buried in the vicinity of the pier to determine the transponder distance from the antenna and thus the scour depth. In this study we present a novel methodology for experimentally determining the RSSI voltage for a low frequency (134.2 kHz), passive RFID system.