1. Arduino based Seismic Sensor for Earthquake Detection and Response
Mac-Anigboro Omowho¹, Soumil Shah², Advisor: Prof. Xingguo Xiong²
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Abstract
Abstract: In this poster an Arduino- seismic sensor for earthquake detection is proposed. The bulk-micro machined comb accelerometer consists of four L-shape beams, one sensing mass with movable beams extruding from all its four sides. Due to its L-shape beam design, the central mass can move along both X and Y directions in response to acceleration inputs. The movable fingers constitute differential capacitance with its left/right and top/bottom fixed fingers. In this way, the resulted displacement of the movable mass due to acceleration input can be sensed by differential capacitance sensing. The output of the dual-axis accelerometer device is monitored by Arduino microcontroller. In case an earthquake is detected, it can send out alarm signals to the user’s cellphones and sends a continuous message of precise location of the user friend or family incase of an emergency response or until the user confirms safety. Compared to traditional single-axis accelerometer design, the proposed dual-axis seismic sensor can monitor earthquake vibration along both X and Y axis, allowing better response to the earthquake. The dual-axis seismic sensor is designed and simulated in COMSOL.
PPM
Introduction
An earthquake is an unavoidable and unpredictable natural phenomenon that often causes damage to lives and property. We cannot fight it but we can stay alert and aware using technology that can protect us and the industry.
Earth quakes are caused by different factors some can be cause by man and nature phenomenon. Man made earth quake are caused by drilling hole in ground and extracting oil from ground are some of factor that influence earth quake. Earth quake are categories into following type they are minor with magnitude of 3.0 and below , Light with a Magnitude of 3.0 to3.9,=Moderate with a magnitude scale of 4.0 to 4.9 , Strong with magnitude scale of 5.0 to 5.9, Major with magnitude scale of 6.0 to 6.9 and all other with magnitude greater than 7 are said to be great
Proposed Solutions
This project is a small effort to overcome the loss of life which occurs due to the earthquake. This detector can detect both minor and major shocks and alarm you to evacuate to a safe place and turns on and location setting on the users phone and sends the users Location continuously to a family or close friend via sms and can help to track the users movements during and after the earthquake for quicker rescue operation incase of an emergency. Another important component of this detector is the accelerometer module Arduino is the brain of this detector and 1sheeld to send sms to the user.
A new design of seismic sensor will give more specific measurements as it applies to just two axis alone The bulk-micro machined comb accelerometer consists of four L-shape beams, one sensing mass with movable beams extruding from all its four sides. Due to its L-shape beam design, the central mass can move along both X and Y directions in response to acceleration inputs. The movable fingers constitute differential capacitance with its left/right and top/bottom fixed fingers. In this way, the resulted displacement of the movable mass due to acceleration input can be sensed by differential capacitance sensing this sensor has been designed and simulated sensor using comsol. For a practical test the output of the dual-axis accelerometer device is monitored by Arduino, and operation performed.
Applications
The aim of this device is majorly for search and rescue purpose which can be applicable in almost all fields and may be more beneficial in some application than others examples of places where it can be applied are:
Homes
Military search and rescue
Industries
schools in case of emergencies
Information can be used by fire department
Can be used by the police
Simulations
The below pictures shows both the fixed movable fingers and fixed constraint for the for both stationary and also shows the first 6 Eigen frequency displacement of the proposed design of a dual axis L shaped beam which when fabricated can sense seismic activities in both the x and the y axis without interference from the adjacent fingers
Equipments
Dual axis seismic sensor
Accelerometer
Arduino
1shield
Conclusion
This project can also be modified and applied to other in the future situations such as natural disasters, fires hazard, search and rescue operation in the military, equipment tracking airplane, ships and boats e.t.c that needs to be access automatically for search and rescue. Though the project is still at a start up stage and the only problem that we might encounter will be the accessibility of an adequate internet connection in low service areas to send accurate data and deliver real time messages to the emergency service or the other user.