AbstractStructural health monitoring is essential to ensure the safety of civil engineering constructions. Conventional laser-based methods of deflection measurement are expensive and invasive, especially for historical buildings and hostile environments such as mines and caves. This project aims to design a low-cost, non-invasive IoT-based system using strain gauges to monitor beam deflection in real-time, providing early warning for any potential structural damage. The system is based on using strain gauges on the surface fibres of beams to detect minute deformation, which is fed through an Arduino platform to provide readable deflection information. At the moment, the project is still in its initial phases, where the equation of strain to deflection has been created and is in the process of implementing load cells for more accuracy. The aim is to provide an accurate, real-time monitoring system that can promote safety and avoid accidents, especially in susceptible structures. This system promises to enhance security through early indication of possible breakdowns, and consequently, reducing casualties and protecting infrastructure. Key Words: Structural health monitoring, deflection measurement, IoT, strain gauges, real-time monitoring, Arduino, load cells, safety, heritage structures, early detection.”

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1. Fang, J. Mao, Y. Zhang, W. Jin, D. Tang, and J. Zhang, “Calculation of Deflection and Stress of Assembled Concrete Composite Beams under Shrinkage and Creep and Its Application in Member Design Optimization,” KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 25, No. 9, pp. 3458–3476, 2021.
2. Dackman, C. G. Berrocal, R. Rempling, and I. Fernandez, “A framework for evaluating steel loss from the evolution of corrosion-induced deflections in reinforced concrete beams with non-uniform reinforcement corrosion,” Engineering Structures, Vol. 317, No. 118593, pp. 1–15, 2024.
3. Majeed, A. Jhangeer, F.M. Mahomed and F.D. Zaman, “Computation of dynamic deflection in thin elastic beam via symmetries,” Ain Shams Engineering Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1, Article ID 103081, pp. 1–9, 2024.
4. Yu and C.-W. Kim, “Acceleration-based deflection angle and deflection estimation of beams in data-driven models,” Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, Vol. 218, No. 111533, pp. 1–20, 2024.
5. Moser, A. Martin-Candilejo, L. Cueto-Felgueroso, and D. Santillán, “Use of Fiber-Optic Sensors to Monitor Concrete Dams: Recent Breakthroughs and New Opportunities,” Structures, Vol. 67, No. 106968, pp. 1–16, 2024.
6. Gwon and H. Jung, “A survey of generative models for image-based structural health monitoring in civil infrastructure” Journal of Infrastructure Intelligence and Resilience, Vol.4, pp.1-17, 2024.
7. F. Feng, P. Zuanfeng, and P. Hongcai, “Experimental and theoretical study on flexural performance of concrete beams strengthened by unbonded prestressed ultra-high performance concrete layer,” Scientific Reports, Vol. 15, Article No. 23146, pp. 1–15, 2025.
8. K. M. Ro, M. S. Kim, and Y. H. Lee, “Structural performance of reinforced concrete beams retrofitted using modularized steel plates in precast concrete with bolted connections,” Applied Sciences, Vol. 14, No. 8, Article No. 3137, pp. 1–17, 2024.
9. F. C. Ryu, J. Li, and Y. Zhang, “Deflection estimation of reinforced concrete beams using distributed long-gauge optic sensors,” Structures, Vol. 69, Article No. 107249, pp. 1–13, 2024.
10. A. Sivasuriyan, D. S. Vijayan, N. Sankaran, and D. Parthiban, “Finite element analysis of reinforced concrete beams using static experimental data to predict static and dynamic behaviors,” Scientific Reports, Vol. 14, Article No. 31238, pp. 1–18, 2024.

AbstractStructural health monitoring is essential to ensure the safety of civil engineering constructions. Conventional laser-based methods of deflection measurement are expensive and invasive, especially for historical buildings and hostile environments such as mines and caves. This project aims to design a low-cost, non-invasive IoT-based system using strain gauges to monitor beam deflection in real-time, providing early warning for any potential structural damage. The system is based on using strain gauges on the surface fibres of beams to detect minute deformation, which is fed through an Arduino platform to provide readable deflection information. At the moment, the project is still in its initial phases, where the equation of strain to deflection has been created and is in the process of implementing load cells for more accuracy. The aim is to provide an accurate, real-time monitoring system that can promote safety and avoid accidents, especially in susceptible structures. This system promises to enhance security through early indication of possible breakdowns, and consequently, reducing casualties and protecting infrastructure. Key Words: Structural health monitoring, deflection measurement, IoT, strain gauges, real-time monitoring, Arduino, load cells, safety, heritage structures, early detection.”

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Fang, J. Mao, Y. Zhang, W. Jin, D. Tang, and J. Zhang, “Calculation of Deflection and Stress of Assembled Concrete Composite Beams under Shrinkage and Creep and Its Application in Member Design Optimization,” KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 25, No. 9, pp. 3458–3476, 2021.
2. Dackman, C. G. Berrocal, R. Rempling, and I. Fernandez, “A framework for evaluating steel loss from the evolution of corrosion-induced deflections in reinforced concrete beams with non-uniform reinforcement corrosion,” Engineering Structures, Vol. 317, No. 118593, pp. 1–15, 2024.
3. Majeed, A. Jhangeer, F.M. Mahomed and F.D. Zaman, “Computation of dynamic deflection in thin elastic beam via symmetries,” Ain Shams Engineering Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1, Article ID 103081, pp. 1–9, 2024.
4. Yu and C.-W. Kim, “Acceleration-based deflection angle and deflection estimation of beams in data-driven models,” Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, Vol. 218, No. 111533, pp. 1–20, 2024.
5. Moser, A. Martin-Candilejo, L. Cueto-Felgueroso, and D. Santillán, “Use of Fiber-Optic Sensors to Monitor Concrete Dams: Recent Breakthroughs and New Opportunities,” Structures, Vol. 67, No. 106968, pp. 1–16, 2024.
6. Gwon and H. Jung, “A survey of generative models for image-based structural health monitoring in civil infrastructure” Journal of Infrastructure Intelligence and Resilience, Vol.4, pp.1-17, 2024.
7. F. Feng, P. Zuanfeng, and P. Hongcai, “Experimental and theoretical study on flexural performance of concrete beams strengthened by unbonded prestressed ultra-high performance concrete layer,” Scientific Reports, Vol. 15, Article No. 23146, pp. 1–15, 2025.
8. K. M. Ro, M. S. Kim, and Y. H. Lee, “Structural performance of reinforced concrete beams retrofitted using modularized steel plates in precast concrete with bolted connections,” Applied Sciences, Vol. 14, No. 8, Article No. 3137, pp. 1–17, 2024.
9. F. C. Ryu, J. Li, and Y. Zhang, “Deflection estimation of reinforced concrete beams using distributed long-gauge optic sensors,” Structures, Vol. 69, Article No. 107249, pp. 1–13, 2024.
10. A. Sivasuriyan, D. S. Vijayan, N. Sankaran, and D. Parthiban, “Finite element analysis of reinforced concrete beams using static experimental data to predict static and dynamic behaviors,” Scientific Reports, Vol. 14, Article No. 31238, pp. 1–18, 2024.