The recent advent of wireless smart solutions and the Internet of Things (IoT) has completely revolutionised structural health monitoring.
This is according to Elton Murison, managing director of TANDM, who says that as infrastructure ages, it becomes important to monitor it, particularly as material degrades over time.
He adds, however, that monitoring the structural health and safety of buildings and infrastructure has also become important for new systems and structures. As they have become more and more complex, it’s critical to detect potential structural changes as early as possible, which would be impossible without complex monitoring systems.
“With recent developments in technology, it has become possible (and desirable) to make measurement an integral part of the preparation, construction, and operation of a project, adding value at every stage of the process,” says Murison.
In the past, monitoring involved physical inspections. Measurements would be taken, and data collected periodically to gain insight into the integrity and performance of a given structure. Not only was this method time-consuming and expensive, but, in many cases, it involved travelling long distances and sometimes accessing dangerous locations on silos, bridges, and the like to collect data.
On top of the extended periods between inspections, Murison says, there would be an additional lag between the acquisition, integration, and analysis of data.
Detecting structural problems as early as possible
Now, small, non-invasive wireless sensors can be fitted easily, even in distant and inaccessible places, and they provide continuous, comprehensive analysis remotely.
Importantly, they do this in real-time, which means that structural anomalies are detected earlier than ever, and proactive measures can be taken to prevent infrastructure failure, address problems, and avert potential disasters. Furthermore, installation doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and it’s relatively easy to set up.
Because wireless monitoring devices are typically small, they remain largely out of sight, maintaining the integrity of the architecture, which can be challenging when it comes to heritage structures or other instances where aesthetics is important. “In the case of historical buildings, where it is important to be non-invasive and discreet, wireless technologies are ideal. One of our suppliers has had their products used to monitor the Colosseum in Rome, Itay, for example,” says Murison.
Speed and ease of data
Remote monitoring is also becoming increasingly popular due to the speed and ease of data analysis that such systems allow. The sensors (which are typically battery-powered, often making use of PV power) is part of a larger system, which not only provides measurements but also includes software that helps analyse and represent the data to make it comprehensible and informative. This information is typically transmitted to an online cloud platform, where it can be accessed, set up, and monitored from anywhere.
Accuracy and consistency of data is another advantage of smart and wireless monitoring. “Manual measurement and collection were subject to error and inconsistency. Some smart systems have even gone so far as to provide dynamic as well as static measurement, which wasn’t possible previously, adding a whole new dimension to the kind of analysis and understanding of the behaviour of structures,” says Murison.
Together, this means that smart monitoring systems provide “constant real-time feedback,” and data processing tools are included, which interpret and represent information on a dashboard in a way that is easily comprehensible. In fact, in the case of unusual structural behaviour or anomalous readings, the system can send pre-emptive alerts to multiple parties. This, as Murison says, drastically reduces the lag between “understanding the problem, creating a solution, and taking action.”
Ultimately, advancing technology in the monitoring space is revolutionising structural health and safety. Not only are solutions like wireless monitoring enabling less downtime, but they also facilitate restoration, which extends the lifespan of buildings and infrastructure.
Importantly, this means that the sustainability of buildings and infrastructure is enhanced, avoiding the costly and wasteful demolition and replacement of infrastructure (not to mention preventing disasters and potential loss of life).
Examples of what wireless technology can monitor
- Bridges
- Railways
- Construction sites
- Infrastructure (e.g., dams)
Why monitor?
- To detect structural problems as early as possible
- To take pre-emptive action
- To improve safety
- To allocate resources efficiently
- To meet regulatory requirements