Piezoelectric energy harvesting from traffic-induced bridge vibrations

Abstract

International audienceThis communication is concerned with energy harvesting of traffic-induced vibrations in bridges. In situ measurements of vibrations in a pre-stressed concrete bridge are presented and analyzed. Using those results, a prototype of cantilever piezoelectric harvester was designed, tested, and modeled. Even though the considered bridge vibrations are characterized by small amplitude and a low frequency (i.e. below 15 Hz), it is shown that mean power of the order of 0.03 mW can be produced, with a controlled voltage between 1.8 and 3.6 V. A simple theoretical model is proposed for predicting the delivered power in terms of traffic intensity. That model shows good agreement with the experimental results and leads to a simple but effective design rule for piezoelectric harvesters to be used on bridges