Development of piezoelectric rain gauge

• Main Author: Veerappan, Gowtham
• Other Authors: Shu Jian Jun
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2023
• Subjects: Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Machine design and construction
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/172484
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The importance of precipitation measurement has increased significantly over the years, due to the effects of climate change. The resulting changes in rainfall trends can have significant implications for agriculture, water resource management, and disaster preparedness. Accurate precipitation measurements allow for better prediction of rainfall trends. The current rain gauge designs have limitations that affect the accuracy and precision of the collected rainfall data. They are also not very portable and cannot be easily implemented in all areas. These limitations have encouraged engineers and researchers to come up with alternative solutions to measuring rainfall. This project proposes using a piezoelectric sensor to measure the vibrations produced by rain droplets on a surface to determine the amount of precipitation. Several advantages of the piezoelectric rain gauge are discussed, including its low maintenance requirements, high accuracy, and ability to measure rainfall in real-time. The report also covers some potential challenges associated with the use of the piezoelectric rain gauge, such as the need for a stable power source and the potential for interference from other sound sources.