How Structural Monitoring Works

 

You understand why structural monitoring is important, but you may not fully understand how it works. That is why we are here. We have provided a quick crash course on automatic monitoring and how it works within your structure.

The key to structural health monitoring lies in the installation of several geotechnical instruments. These sensors can include strain gauges, piezometers, tiltmeters, temperature sensors, pressure cells, load cells, and a variety of other geotechnical equipment that can be used to measure the crucial parameters affecting your structure.

Installed on dams, tunnels, nuclear power plants, monuments, and buildings, these structural health monitoring sensors are able to measure the important parameters in real-time. This data is then sent to data loggers and displayed via computer or mobile device at any remote location. With this information, data loggers are then able to generate early warnings so that any concerned parties can take the appropriate action.

Thanks to all of this technology, buildings and other structures are able to remain safer and sounder. This is important not just for those inside the building but also for those around it since a structural failure could have long-reaching repercussions.

Advantages of Structural Health Monitoring

 

There is no need to second guess it; a building health monitoring system is an absolute must for almost any type of significant structure. Some of the biggest advantages of having a structural health monitoring system attached to your building include:

It provides an early warning to the concerned authorities so that they are able to take action well before there are any injuries or casualties.

It keeps a regular check-up on the health of your structure so that sudden failures can be avoided.

It safeguards human life as well as the loss of property.

It protects all of the surrounding structures in the vicinity as well.

It increases the lifespan of any structure in which it is placed.

It reduces both the long-term and short-term costs related to structural maintenance.

It monitors the safety performance of a building for the life of the structure.

It evaluates the effect of the operation of the structure on various parameters, including strain, stress, water, inclination, pressure, deflection, and water seepage.

It compares the observed data with design assumptions.

It helps in the planning and scheduling of predictive and preventative maintenance programs for the structure.

It provides data to determine the effects of natural calamities—including earthquakes, snowstorms, and flooding—on the structure.

It complies with long-term, reliable data on various elements, including foundations, anchoring systems, and containment structures.

What Structural Monitoring Is

 

Your building is made up of an intricate system of components that are all working together to ensure the safety and soundness of the structure. From the walls and beams to the trusses and roof, each part needs to be in the best possible condition to ensure the long-term viability of the structure as well as the well-being of anyone—or thing—inside of it. With structural monitoring, you are able to monitor the health of all of these systems if many can’t be seen with the naked eye.

A building monitoring system helps you gather the data you need to develop a clear and accurate picture of the health of your structure. With this information, you are able to identify issues before they become significant problems, pinpoint existing problem areas, and track the progress of any deterioration. The concrete facts and figures provided by structural monitoring make it easier for you to develop a plan to address any shortcomings in the building so that they can be prevented now and in the future.

This automatic monitoring system is designed to work 24/7 so that you are always gathering the data you need. These are essential systems that should be part of every new construction development or retrofit in existing structures. By monitoring a structure, catastrophes can be prevented.

The Types of Buildings That Can Use Structural Monitoring

 

What kind of building benefits most from structural monitoring? While the easy answer would be “all buildings,” the truth is that some structures are exposed to more vulnerability than others. Here are some factors to consider:

Size: You’ve likely heard “The bigger they are, the harder they fall” before; this saying holds true for construction. Large public buildings benefit significantly from monitoring because the costs will be greater if something goes wrong—and there are more areas where something could indeed go wrong. Schools, hospitals, sports stadiums, cinemas, hotels, and museums are all good candidates for structural monitoring, among many other types of facilities.

Climate: Many structural monitoring buildings are utilizing this technology for one core reason: snow loads. Since accumulated snow puts roofs at such a high risk of failure, property owners often invest in monitoring to avert that specific disaster. However, even buildings that never see snow will benefit from monitoring.

Number of Residents: The more people that occupy a building, the higher the stakes are. Any large residential building like apartment complexes, condominium complexes, and long-term nursing facilities should invest in structural monitoring. The potential loss of human life is simply too high not to utilize a robust monitoring system.

The Advantages of Automatic Monitoring

 

Automatic structural monitoring can now be found at more properties across the nation than ever before, and people are installing new systems on their buildings every day. However, you may wonder whether it is a worthwhile investment for your property. Here is what you should know about the advantages of automatic monitoring:

Reduced Costs: While installing structural monitoring has a significant upfront cost, the system pays for itself over time. How? Your new system will alert you whenever the monitored parts of your building require maintenance, helping you avoid more costly repairs and even reducing the need for inspections.

Averting Disaster: Every property owner fears catastrophic damage like roof failures and collapsing weight-bearing walls. Not only do these incidents cost much to repair, but they can also lead to other costly property damage and even injuries and loss of life. Automatic monitoring allows you to mitigate disaster by providing a prewarning if some aspect of your building needs attention.

Constant Peace of Mind: Good structural monitoring will deliver highly accurate, real-time information to you regularly via its 24/7 sensors. You’ll rest assured that your property is in good condition and that you are aware of anything that requires maintenance, leaving you free to focus on other matters instead.

How Predictive Monitoring Technologies Save You Money

 

Thanks to the evolution of predictive monitoring technologies, they are more commonly used today than ever before. However, installing these technologies is still a significant investment, which is why some property owners hesitate to embrace the benefits. Regardless, structural monitoring is a worthy investment due to its money-saving advantages, including:

Tailored Maintenance Recommendations: Many monitoring systems utilized advanced algorithms to alert you when different parts of the building need maintenance. These customized recommendations ensure your structure doesn’t degrade quicker than expected, resulting in costly repairs.

Warding Off Disaster: When any part of a building fails, the time and money spent on repairs become a major drain. Predictive monitoring technologies help property owners act before a disaster occurs. For example, snow loading monitoring will alert you before the weight of snow on your building causes roof failure.

Preserving Human Safety: You cannot put a dollar value on human life and safety. Regardless, if a building you’re responsible for experiences any type of failure that results in injury or death, the financial cost and emotional burden will be high. Preventing these tragedies is a crucial benefit of structural monitoring.

Learn more about how predictive monitoring can help you save money in the long term by talking to experienced technicians.

Structural Monitoring Extends the Lifespan of Large Buildings

 

Looking at the size and solidity of huge buildings makes it appear as if they will last forever. We know that isn’t so, but there is a great deal your engineers can do to preserve these structures, such as colleges, public buildings, and hospitals. Taking measures to protect these buildings means they’ll stand up to the test of time.

We recommend structural monitoring for the commercial or industrial buildings you own. This system of control panels collects data from sensors in the structure that allow your engineers to track changes. Comparing real-time data points out problems and prompts maintenance and repairs. 

Data That Informs, Protects, & Preserves

Make use of a building monitoring system to make timely repairs. The sensors may show the increase of corrosion, an accumulation of cracks and lines, or deviations from the vertical. This is vital information that tells your engineers about the type of repairs necessary and a time frame with which to work.

Use the information you gain from structural monitoring to boost the safety and longevity of the structure, reduce maintenance costs, and prolong the working life of the building. It makes sense to safeguard your investment.