Optimal Sensor Placement for Underground Tunnel Monitoring via Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

In replace of human labor, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are increasingly being utilized to perform structural health monitoring of underground tunnel. Due to its complex environment, the deployment of sensor nodes poses a big challenge to related staff. How to use the optimal number of sensor nodes deployed in the underground tunnel to obtain a satisfactory monitoring is our main consideration. In this paper, we propose a deployment strategy based on the optimal index to provide guidelines for sensor node placement. The objective of the strategy is to put sensor nodes in a proper site to gain maximum sensing information, thus eliminating redundant sensor nodes as well as saving costs.