Development of wireless vibration sensor using MEMs for tunnel construction and maintenance

Many tunnels have been constructed in Korea, where 70% of the nation is composed of mountain area, for the development of infrastructures such as the highways, subways, railways, electricity lines, and many other utilities due to the increase of traffic congestion. However, during and after tunnel construction, many problems including civil petitions and construction delay result from tunnel deformation, ground settlement, ground vibration, and tunnel lining crack. In relation to tunnel construction and maintenance, this study explains a development background of small wireless vibration sensors and their applications based on RF(Radio Frequency)-MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) technology. The advantages and usefulness of the wireless automatic monitoring system is addressed compared with the conventional wired or survey measurement systems. Thus, the study provides a framework of the process for monitoring, manipulating, and transferring data from MEMS sensor and explains the application of the new developed automatic monitoring system for tunnel construction and maintenance.