Vibration energy harvesting from roads under traffic loads

Abstract

In this study, piezoelectric energy harvesting using depressions in roads generated by traffic loads was investigated theoretically and experimentally. The elastic double-layer plate model was used to analyse piezoelectric energy harvesting under traffic loads. The asphalt road layer and cement-stabilized layer were regarded as elastic bearing plates. Based on the vibration differential equations of an elastic double-layer plate, the expressions for the vertical displacements of the plates were obtained using the Fourier transform and contour integral theorem. Then the expressions for output voltage and power were derived. An indoor test of a layered road for piezoelectric transformation was carried out using a traffic load model groove. The results show that the effect of the piezoelectric transducer position on the voltage and power should be considered, and that the excitation load, frequency, and thickness of the asphalt layer can affect the output voltage and power.