Optimal placement of piezoelectric energy harvesters in bridge structures

In this study, it is aimed to harvesting energy from vibrations in bridges due to vehicle movements in bridge structures by using Piezoelectric Energy Harvester (PEH). In order to maximize the energy harvesting, it is aimed to place the PEH's in their optimal positions. In the study, energy harvesting was obtained from vibrations in bridge structures by using three different vehicle loads and three different piezoelectric materials. The project of Kuşsarayı-2 bridge, located in Kuşsarayı village of Baskil district of Elazığ, was modeled with real dimensions in the ANSYS program. The modal, harmonic and piezoelectric energy harvesting analysis of the bridge were carried out, respectively. For a total of 9 PEH's, three different piezoelectric materials (PZT-4, PZT-5A ve PZT-8) were used to determine the type with the highest energy harvest, and in order to compare the results, a total of 13 different solutions were made under three different vehicle loads (60 kN, 90 kN ve 120 kN). When the analyzes were performed, it was calculated that the maximum total power obtained was 1.484 µW with the PZT-5A material PEH under 120 kN load. This power is sufficient for wireless sensor systems used to monitor the structural health of bridges. Considering that energy harvesting by vibration is independent of meteorological elements, unlike energy sources such as the sun and wind, the widespread use of these systems will prevent the environmental damage of waste batteries formed in existing systems.