Abstract
This study develops and investigates reliability and accuracy of wireless MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems)-type sensors for real-time seismic monitoring of bridges. The wireless capability added to the developed MEMS Sensors makes it possible to avoid the use of lengthy multiple cables for the bridge monitoring. This study introduces two types of MEMS accelerometers: the ADXL 202E and the Silicon Design SD 1221. To demonstrate the efficacy of this system for monitoring, acceleration of a pedestrian steel bridge under excitation at the span center was measured. The result is compared with that from traditional cabled sensor, PCB 393C. The MEMS-based wireless sensors are shown to be costeffective for carrying out real-time monitoring missions