A web-based virtual laboratory for monitoring physical infrastructure
In this thesis, the design and implementation of a virtual laboratory for monitoring realworld physical infrastructure over the Internet are described. In particular, the implementation of such a remote laboratory to monitor the deformation under lateral wind loading of a flagpole at the MIT campus is considered. This project is one of several web-accessible remote laboratories that are part of Project I-Campus at MIT. In the first chapter, the motivation, objectives and educational benefits of such a monitoring laboratory are described. Remote virtual laboratories such as the one discussed in this thesis can provide an effective means for illustrating concepts in structural dynamics and signal processing and can be used to expose students to advances in sensor technology. They can also serve as ideal design and test platforms for active control algorithms. In the next chapter, a brief overview of the hardware aspects of this remote monitoring project, namely the sensors, data acquisition units and wirelessnetworking components is given. The next three chapters discuss the three main software components of this effort: programs that collect and disseminate data, those that archive the data and clients that process real-time and archived data in many ways. The sixth chapter describes some of the educational tools and simulations that have been developed as part of this virtual laboratory and discusses how they can be used in a classroom setting. The final chapter summarizes the thesis and provides directions for further research. Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Kevin Amaratunga Title: Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering