A structural monitoring system measures a building’s stability every three minutes. Such monitoring is essential for commercial buildings in areas where heavy rain can cause catastrophic damage. In 2015, a commercial building in Gdansk was destroyed by floodwater, and a car showroom collapsed in Lublin, both of which occurred due to water piling up on the roof. The building managers should have been able to know how the roof structure was holding up, so that they could have taken necessary precautions to prevent such a disaster.
Sense S-One
With Sense S-One structural monitoring building sensors, you can monitor structural deflections in real time. Sense S-One sensors can measure changes in critical points on a horizontal plane and will provide a real-time email, SMS, and a website for monitoring and analysis. Its unique design eliminates the need for manual inspection, reducing the cost of building maintenance. The sensors are mounted under the roof of a building without affecting the floor space.
The GeoSIG Structural Health and Response Monitoring system is capable of evaluating and recording structure behaviour. Its sensors measure acceleration, displacement, strain, tilt, and environmental phenomena. These measurements enable early damage detection and preventative maintenance. Its comprehensive solution reduces repair costs and increases building safety and reliability. Its comprehensive system offers a wide range of sensors to suit different structural applications. The system can be integrated into existing structures or new ones and is compatible with many building types.
Wireless Vibrometer
A wireless vibrationmeter is a versatile instrument that allows for continuous monitoring of structural health. By continuously observing the condition of the structure, these sensors are able to detect fundamental response characteristics and changes over time. This information helps in the identification of possible structural damage and deterioration. The instrument can be used to detect and report vibrations that are detected by other instruments. This article describes the advantages of using a wireless vibrationmeter in a building.
The development of a wireless vibrationmeter can provide information to a building manager in real time. This is because the instrument will alert building managers when a structural component starts to malfunction. The data collected by the wireless vibrationmeter will be compared to the signals obtained by wired monitoring systems. This method is highly effective in structural health monitoring due to its low cost and small size. It is a cost-effective alternative to wired vibration meters.
NDE
The primary goal of SHM is disaster prevention. Buildings need to be regularly monitored to ensure their structural integrity and functional value. The monitoring process helps prevent structural failure and ensures the structures continue to meet design requirements. The continuous monitoring of structures helps to optimize maintenance schedules and improve repair procedures. It helps in ensuring the safety of people and assets immediately. Hence, SHM is a must-have for any building or infrastructure.
Besides structural health monitoring, humans also benefit from this technology. The results of this monitoring are overall safety and satisfactory system functionality. Seismograph and electrocardiogram outputs provide plots of health conditions. This data can help in identifying and analyzing structural damages. The graphical outputs of these sensors are available on the internet and can be interpreted by building owners and designers. The sensors in a monitoring system can detect any cracks, weak points, or other damages that may be causing the structural damage.
Continuous Monitoring
Continuous Monitoring of structural building health is an essential component of maintaining the integrity of critical infrastructure. Buildings and infrastructures are constantly subject to huge climatic changes and stresses, which place tremendous strain on their components and materials. Undue strain and natural aging processes are also common causes of wear and tear. In order to maintain maximum availability and minimize costs, it is essential to monitor structural health. With continuous monitoring, you can determine the earliest signs of damage and avoid costly repairs or collapses.
The data obtained from Continuous Monitoring of structural building health can be used to predict when a facility needs maintenance. By determining when a building needs maintenance, facility operators can plan ahead to avoid interruptions to operations. In addition, continuous building health monitoring can also help facility operators track and sell assets before they break down, and meet regulatory obligations. Ultimately, Continuous Monitoring of structural building health can improve the efficiency and productivity of a building’s operations.
Cost
The cost of structural health monitoring in buildings is an important consideration when investing in new construction projects. Monitoring the health of structures early on can prevent costly repair bills later on. The cost of structural health monitoring in buildings can be part of the building design process, replacing scheduled maintenance with preventive as-needed maintenance. By using structural health monitoring in the construction process, buildings can be designed with the cost of maintenance in mind, increasing reliability and safety.
There are several methods used for monitoring the health of structures, including inspection by on-site surveyors or engineers. Conventional methods rely on highly accurate instruments called Total Stations and Monitoring Stations. Monitoring Stations use prisms and take multiple shots per hour. This information is gathered and compared with design assumptions to determine whether any necessary repairs are needed. Once the monitoring process is complete, the data can be analyzed and compared to ensure structural health.
Benefits
There are many benefits of structural monitoring, ranging from the prevention of disaster to the improvement of safety. In addition to saving money on expensive maintenance, SHM improves the design, planning, and repair of civil structures. This enables the continuous and systematic monitoring of structures. SHM also helps in improving existing design processes by eliminating flaws and enhancing immediate safety of public buildings. The following are some of the benefits of structural monitoring building.
A continuous structural monitoring program can help in detecting anomalies in time. This can make maintenance more effective and reduce operating costs. The process replaces scheduled maintenance with condition-based maintenance.
