How to Determine the Level of Epistemic Uncertainty and Exclude Faulty Sensors in Structural Health Monitoring Systems

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The complexity of systems like bridges increases the risk of undetected damage, potentially causing catastrophic failures. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is essential for timely maintenance, reducing repair costs, and saving lives, but it faces measurement uncertainties due to aging or sensor failures. This paper presents a novel SHM framework to identify sensor malfunctions in the presence of structural damage, exclude faulty sensors, and maintain high confidence in a low level of epistemic uncertainty for measured and derived data. The framework evaluates consistency among data sources and considers combinatorics within the sensor network to collect evidence for levels of uncertainty. Sensor errors are mapped to α-levels, forming probability distributions to assess expected level of epistemic uncertainty and exclude compromised sensors based their contribution in reducing or increasing uncertainty. A realistic case study on a 9-meter steel lattice mast with synthetic data from a validated Finite Element model demonstrates the methodology.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIABSE Symposium Tokyo 2025
Place of PublicationZurich
PublisherInternational Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), Zürich
Pages745-752
Number of pages8
ISBN (electronic)978-3-85748-206-9
Publication statusPublished - 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Publication series

SeriesIABSE Reports
Volume121

Conference

TitleInternational Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering Symposium Tokyo 2025
SubtitleEnvironmentally Friendly Technologies and Structures: Focusing on Sustainable Approaches
Abbreviated titleIABSE Symposium Tokyo 2025
Duration18 - 21 May 2025
Website
LocationWaseda University & Rihga Royal Hotel
CityTokyo
CountryJapan

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-4752-1519/work/192580864
ORCID /0000-0001-8735-1345/work/192582460

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Confidence, Level of Uncertainty, Structural Health Monitoring, Trust