TreeRTTSys: A Low Cost Sensor  To Measure   Tree Trunk Quality Using Strain Gauge Sensors

Rudi Arif   Candra; Dirja Nur Ilham; Arie Budiansyah

doi:10.47709/brilliance.v5i2.7324

TreeRTTSys: A Low Cost Sensor To Measure Tree Trunk Quality Using Strain Gauge Sensors

Authors

Rudi Arif Candra Politeknik Aceh Selatan, Indonesia
Dirja Nur Ilham Politeknik Aceh Selatan, Indonesia
Arie Budiansyah Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47709/brilliance.v5i2.7324

Keywords:

TreeRTTSys, Arduino, Sensor Strain gauge, Data Acquisition

Abstract

Tree health monitoring is essential to ensure environmental safety, sustainability, and the prevention of hazards caused by structurally weakened trees. Visual inspection alone is often insufficient to detect internal defects such as decay or reduced mechanical strength within tree trunks. This study presents the design and implementation of TreeRTTSys, a low-cost sensor-based system for evaluating tree trunk quality using strain gauge and load cell sensors integrated with an Arduino microcontroller. The proposed system aims to measure tensile force characteristics of tree trunks as an indicator of structural integrity and mechanical performance. The experimental method was employed by conducting tensile tests on five different types of tree trunks, namely Meranti, Beringin, Rambutan, Durian, and Kapok. A load cell sensor combined with an HX711 signal conditioning module was used to acquire force data, which were processed and recorded in real time by an Arduino-based data acquisition system. The applied tensile load and resistance duration were analyzed to evaluate the strength and deformation behavior of each wood type. The results show significant variation in tensile strength and load resistance among the tested tree species. Meranti wood exhibited the highest tensile strength of 11.13 kN and the longest resistance time of 151 seconds, indicating superior load-bearing capacity and stability. Rambutan wood demonstrated high ductility, sustaining tensile loading for 149 seconds despite a lower maximum force. In contrast, Kapok and Durian woods showed relatively low tensile resistance and shorter failure durations.These findings confirm that the proposed TreeRTTSys is capable of accurately capturing the mechanical behavior of tree trunks in real time. The system offers a reliable, cost-effective solution for tree health assessment, with potential applications in urban forestry management, environmental monitoring, and preventive safety inspections.

References

Adamo, F., Attivissimo, F., Di Nisio, A., Savino, M., & Spadavecchia, M. (2015). A spectral estimation method for nonstationary signals analysis with application to power systems. Measurement, 73, 247–261. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2015.04.023

Anaf, W., Cabal, A., Robbe, M., & Schalm, O. (2020). Real-time wood behaviour: The use of strain gauges for preventive conservation applications. Sensors (Switzerland), 20(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/s20010305

Ayu, H. D., Jufriadi, A., Pranata, K. B., & Muntini, M. S. (2017). Strain gauge sensor of mass measurement using a brass cantilever. Jurnal Neutrino: Jurnal Fisika Dan Aplikasinya, 9(2), 52–59.

Bagenda, D. N., Studi, P., Elektronika, T., & Negeri, P. (2018). TIMBANGAN MENGGUNAKAN STRAIN GAUGE RANGKAIAN FULL BRIDGE DENGAN IC HX711. 11(1), 1–6.

Dietrich, L., Zweifel, R., & Kahmen, A. (2018). Methods paper Daily stem diameter variations can predict the canopy water status of mature temperate trees. March, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpy023

Gruionu, L. G., Constantinescu, C., ?oimu-Iacob, A., Ciobîrc?, C., Udri?toiu, A., Pastram?, ?. D., & Gruionu, G. (2019). Semi-automatic guidance of a biopsy catheter to peripheral airways targets using a novel robotic and computer navigation system. Materials Today: Proceedings, 12, 304–308. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2019.03.128

Kamnik, R., Kova?i?, B., Štrukelj, A., Vatin, N., & Murgul, V. (2015). Preparation, Installation and Signal Processing of Strain Gauges in Bridge Load Testing. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 725–726, 903–912. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.725-726.903

Khairi, N. M., Rizam, M. S. B. S., Naimah, M. I., Nooritawati, M. T., & Husna, Z. A. (2012). Diameter stem changes detection sensor evaluation using different size of strain gauge on Dendrobium stem. 41(Iris), 1421–1425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2012.07.330

Live, P., Streaming, V., Faruq, A., & Ibrahimy, I. (2019). Video streaming application design for color blind users. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1402/6/066083

Pavelyev, V., Khonina, S., Degtyarev, S., Tukmakov, K., Reshetnikov, A., Gerasimov, V., Osintseva, N., & Knyazev, B. (2023). Subwavelength Diffractive Optical Elements for Generation of Terahertz Coherent Beams with Pre-Given Polarization State. In Sensors (Vol. 23, Issue 3, p. 1579). https://doi.org/10.3390/s23031579

Pratama, A. R., Sipahutar, E., Candra, R. A., Budiansyah, A., & Ilham, D. N. (2025). IMPLEMENTATION OF A TREE FELLING AGE DETECTION DEVICE USING PIEZOELECTRIC SENSORS IN URBAN FORESTS. 1(1), 1–9.

Satyarno, I., Sulistyo, D., Heldita, D., & Oliviera, A. T. C. R. De. (2017). Full Height Rectangular Opening Castellated Steel Beam Partially Encased in Reinforced Mortar. Procedia Engineering, 171, 176–184. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.01.324

Subedi, S., Bist, R., Yang, X., & Chai, L. (2023). Tracking pecking behaviors and damages of cage-free laying hens with machine vision technologies. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 204, 107545. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2022.107545

Takashima, K., Kamizono, H., Takenaka, M., & Mukai, T. (2017). Force sensor utilizing stiffness change of shape-memory polymer based on temperature. ROBOMECH Journal, 4(1), 17.

Urriolagoitia-Sosa, G., Molina-Ballinas, A., Urriolagoitia-Calderón, G., Hernandez-Gomez, L. H., Romero-Ángeles, B., & Michtchenko, A. (2011). Numerical and experimental analysis in the manipulation of the mechanical properties for enhancing the mechanical resistance of a material. Journal of Applied Research and Technology, 9(2), 156–172.

Wang, J., Duan, S., He, J., & Wang, Z. (2019). Experimental Analysis of Eccentric Compression Performance of Larch Wood?Steel Composite Columns. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2019(1), 3102416.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-15

How to Cite

Candra, R. A. . ., Ilham, D. N., & Budiansyah, A. (2025). TreeRTTSys: A Low Cost Sensor To Measure Tree Trunk Quality Using Strain Gauge Sensors. Brilliance: Research of Artificial Intelligence, 5(2), 1111–1121. https://doi.org/10.47709/brilliance.v5i2.7324