Application of MEMS sensors for post-earthquake damage assessment using frequency analysis

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) plays a crucial role in assessing the safety and performance of structures, particularly after seismic events. This paper
explores the use of a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometer for evaluating the integrity of structures through changes in their natural frequencies. The approach relies on the principle that damage or loss of stiffness within a structure leads to measurable shifts in its dynamic characteristics. A MEMS sensor was employed to record ambient vibration responses at different locations of the building, enabling the extraction of modal frequencies through signal processing techniques.

The study includes post-earthquake case studies where the MEMS sensor was used to measure frequency variations at selected points of various buildings. The observed changes in the natural frequency were interpreted as indicators of potential structural degradation. Despite using a single sensor, the approach proved effective in identifying variations in stiffness distribution and global structural condition. The results highlight the feasibility of rapid, low-cost structural assessment using compact MEMS-based instrumentation. This study demonstrates that even with minimal equipment, reliable insight into post-earthquake building integrity can be achieved, underscoring the potential of MEMS sensors as practical tools for field-based structural diagnostics and post-disaster evaluations.