The proposed solution is based on monitoring the integrity of a structure using electromechanical impedance tests.

Piezoelectric materials are used as actuators to provide driving signals on the structure as well as sensing providing a self-diagnostic component minimizing maintenance and inspection cycles.

The wireless data collection from these tests makes posible a remote analysis able to predict the location and severity of posible damages in the structure.

Through a continuous monitoring of a structure a more efficient maintenance can be performed to improve its safety.

“A continuous structural monitoring system improves the maintenance of a structure”

• Predictions from nondestructive inspection techniques can be very variable depending on the operator. An automatable system for damage identification would allow decreasing the subjectivity of the inspections simplifying, in this way, the design of the repair measures.
• Society demands for the reduction of accidents caused by structural failures and collapses. To reach this, structural maintenance tasks must be implemented.
• The scale of some structures makes difficult their inspection and evaluation tasks.
• Monitoring of large scale structures requires the implementation of more dense sensor networks, but also less expensive and easy to install.
• Structural maintenance costs can become higher than the initial construction costs barely some decades later  from the moment the structure is in operation. The implementation of more effective and economical maintenance policies able to extend the life-cycle of structural systems are needed.

• Repair costs in aeronautical and naval engineering can double transportation costs. These costs might be decreased considerably using a suitable monitoring system.
• According to the National Bridge Inventory, over 40% of road bridges in USA are structurally deficient. The cost of their rehabilitation and replacement is over 7000 M$ annually.
• Over 2000 M€ are budgeted annually in Europe for maintenance of road bridges; it is approximately 400% of costs allocated for construction of new bridges. It is estimated that from 2020 the maintenance cost should be reduced progressively using more efficient maintenance policies.

"Structural monitoring using wired systems requires high costs and long deployment time no viable in large-scale structures"

• The implementation of monitoring systems based on wireless sensor networks is an economical alternative to the traditional wired monitoring systems.
• Costs associated to the installation and maintenance of cables are removed.
• The manufacturing cost of the sensor nodes of the proposed wireless network are very low in comparison with the traditional impedance analyzers. Additionally, they are more compact and light weight.
• Difficult access areas for wire-based monitoring can be monitored
• In contrast to passive sensors, the use of active sensors makes possible the interrogation of the structure when needed.