Piezoelectric energy harvesters in bridge structures: Evaluation of optimal placement and energy harvesting

In the present study, energy is harvested from vibrations in bridge structures caused by vehicle passages using piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs). In order to maximize the energy harvested, it was aimed to specify the optimal locations of PEHs. In the study, energy harvesting from vibrations in bridge structures was achieved using three different vehicle loads and three different piezoelectric materials. The project of the Ku & scedil;saray & imath;-2 bridge, located in Ku & scedil;saray & imath; village in Baskil, Elaz & imath;& gbreve;, was modelled in the ANSYS program using real measurements. The bridge was analyzed for modal, harmonic, and piezoelectric energy harvesting, respectively. The type with the highest energy production was determined using three different piezoelectric materials (PZT-4, PZT-5A, and PZT-8) for a total of 9 PEHs, and a total of 13 different analyses were performed under three different vehicle loads (60 kN, 90 kN, and 120 kN) to compare the results. The maximum total power obtained from all nine PEHs was 1.484 & micro;W under the 120 kN load with PZT-5A. The maximum power obtained from a single PEH (PEH-1) was 0.49 & micro;W. This power achieved will be adequate for wireless sensor systems used for monitoring the structural health of bridges, and considering that energy harvesting through vibration is independent of meteorological elements, unlike energy sources such as solar and wind, the environmental damage caused by waste batteries in existing systems will be prevented with the dissemination of these systems. With the development of these systems, the energy needs of services such as lighting and traffic signs can be supplied. The results provide an important foundation for the development of vibration-based energy harvesting systems in bridge structures. Thus, the study stands out as an innovative step toward sustainable energy generation in structural engineering.