ABSTRACT
In the quest for the realisation of safe and smart structures, recent advances in structural health monitoring have rated the application and efficiency of self-powered sensors high, as it drives sustainable development. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of the self-powered sensors for monitoring vibrations of building floors. It describes the conventional ways of monitoring structures and the existing methods of harnessing energy from vibrations. This study focuses on the application of piezoelectric technologies and in particular the Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) technology. It considers essential criteria such as the geometry and support conditions affecting the power generated. Several evaluations of piezoelectric technologies were made based on their features and on the quantity of energy generated using patch optimisation technique. Finally, the cantilever supported PZT of the piezoelectric transduction mechanism was identified to be the most suitable mechanism for application on sensors in building floors due to its efficiency in energy conversion.
