Advancements in vibration-based energy harvesting systems for bridges: A literature and systematic review

Abstract

• A literature and systematic review of recent advancements in vibration-based energy harvesting (VEH) technologies with a focus on bridge applications. • Overview of cutting-edge research on piezoelectric energy harvesters, triboelectric nanogenerators, and hybrid systems. • Examination of the influence of nonlinear effects and geometric designs on the performance of energy harvesters in bridge applications. • Investigation of energy harvesting systems that utilize wind and traffic-induced vibrations in bridge structures. • Identification of key challenges in enhancing energy harvesting efficiency under low-frequency vibrations, along with proposed future research directions to improve system performance. Energy harvesting is crucial for sustainable power generation within structural health monitoring systems for infrastructures, as it involves converting ambient energy sources into usable power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and minimizing environmental impact. This technology is valuable for creating self-sustaining systems in remote or hard-to-access bridge locations. Additionally, energy harvesting from bridges offers significant economic benefits by reducing operational costs and enabling continuous structural health monitoring, making it a practical solution for bridge management. This paper examines vibration-based energy harvesting technologies for bridges, assessing their applicability and effectiveness. A systematic literature review using Scopus explored the origins, concepts, and technologies associated with energy harvesting. The review highlights the significance of vibration-based energy harvesting, particularly piezoelectric systems, due to the persistent vibrations experienced by bridges from environmental conditions. Recent developments in vibration energy harvesting systems are categorized and summarized based on bridge sources, including vibration, wind-induced vibration, and traffic-induced vibration. Key challenges identified include the need for complex designs and the limited efficiency of certain technologies under low-frequency conditions. The paper further outlines critical future research directions aimed at overcoming these limitations and significantly advancing the field of energy harvesting for bridge applications. The research highlights that novel triboelectric nanogenerator designs demonstrated promising energy harvesting capabilities from low-frequency bridge vibrations such as innovations including nonlinear oscillator configurations, and hybrid piezoelectric-triboelectric systems. Moreover, by carefully designing piezoelectric energy harvesters with techniques like nonlinear dynamics and innovative geometries, it's possible to significantly improve energy capture from low-frequency, multi-directional bridge vibrations. In addition, the Integration of wind-induced vibration energy harvesting, and traffic-induced vibration are promising technologies for sustainable infrastructure monitoring. The review shows that vortex-induced vibration for its high effectivity in low wind speed conditions and galloping, despite requiring higher wind speeds, are the most efficient techniques in this area. This study aims to provide valuable insights for researchers and engineers to utilize these technologies in bridge infrastructure, thereby improving energy efficiency and sustainability.

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