5 Key Indicators Your Infrastructure Needs Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)

Structural integrity is essential for the safety, functionality, and longevity of infrastructure such as bridges, buildings, and storage tanks. Over time, structures are subjected to wear and tear from environmental factors, heavy usage, and aging materials. Ignoring these factors can lead to fatal failures, endangering lives and incurring significant costs. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) provides a modern solution to this challenge by enabling real-time infrastructure monitoring, allowing for early detection of issues. In this blog, we will delve into five signs of structural damage that suggest your infrastructure requires SHM and how specific sensors can address these concerns.

The Role of SHM in Infrastructure Safety and Longevity

SHM is a technology-driven approach to assessing and maintaining the structural health of various infrastructure types. It uses a network of sensors to collect data on structural performance, which is analyzed to identify issues such as cracks, tilts, and material degradation. SHM not only ensures the safety of users but also extends the lifespan of structures by enabling proactive maintenance.

Applications of SHM:

• Bridges exposed to dynamic loads and environmental stressors.
• Tunnels and underground structures facing water seepage and vibrations.
• Buildings, including historic landmarks, requiring structural assessments due to aging materials.

By identifying early warning signs, SHM empowers engineers and decision-makers to implement timely interventions, minimizing repair costs and maximizing asset value.

Overweight Loads

Key Indicators Your Infrastructure Needs SHM

a. Cracks and Visible Structural Damage

Cracks are one of the most apparent signs of structural damage. They can occur due to:

• Heavy loads: Overloading a structure beyond its capacity.
• Environmental factors: Temperature variations causing expansion and contraction.
• Aging materials: Natural wear and tear over time.

Wireless crack sensors, such as Resensys’ Wireless Strain Gauge SenSpot™, can detect and monitor crack progression in real-time. These sensors measure strain across critical areas, providing precise data to assess the severity of cracks and guide repairs before further deterioration occurs.

Wireless Strain Gauge SenSpot™

b. Leaks or Water Seepage

Water seepage is a silent yet destructive issue. Moisture infiltrates structural elements, leading to:

• Corrosion: Degrading metal components.
• Weakened materials: Reducing the strength of concrete and other materials.

Resensys’ Wireless Humidity and Moisture SenSpot™ is designed to detect water infiltration and monitor moisture levels. These sensors are critical for applications like tunnel monitoring, storage tanks, and buildings. Early detection helps prevent long-term damage caused by water-related issues.

c. Unusual Movements or Vibrations

Unexplained vibrations or movement often indicate:

• Foundation instability: Caused by ground settlement or erosion.
• Structural fatigue: Due to repeated dynamic loads, such as traffic on a bridge.

Wireless vibration sensors, such as the Wireless Vibration/Acceleration SenSpot™, can continuously monitor structural dynamics. These sensors identify irregular patterns of movement, providing early alerts to address potential hazards. They are particularly beneficial for bridges and industrial facilities exposed to heavy machinery vibrations.

Wireless Vibration Acceleration SenSpot™

d. Tilting or Shifting

Noticeable tilting or shifting in a structure is often caused by:

• Uneven ground settling: Natural movements of the earth beneath the structure.
• Overloading: Causing stress and deformation.
• Extreme weather events: Hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes.

The Wireless Tilt/Inclination SenSpot™ sensor measures changes in angular displacement, helping engineers assess the extent of tilting. For example, in retaining wall monitoring, this sensor ensures stability by detecting early signs of tilting, allowing corrective actions to be implemented promptly.

Wireless Tilt Inclination SenSpot™

e. Malfunction in Expansion Joints or Bearings

Expansion joints and bearings are critical for accommodating structural movement and temperature changes. Issues in these components can include:

• Frozen bearings: Resulting in reduced flexibility.
• Joint failures: Causing stress concentration in connected elements.

Resensys’ Wireless Displacement SenSpot™ and Wireless Tilt SenSpot™ sensors can monitor the performance of expansion joints and bearings. These sensors measure linear movements and rotary bearing system tilt, ensuring that components function optimally under varying conditions.

Displacement Sensor and Tilt Meter and Leak Detector

Benefits of Addressing These Indicators with SHM

Proactively monitoring these indicators with SHM provides numerous benefits, including:

• Enhanced Safety: Real-time infrastructure monitoring ensures that structural issues are detected before they pose a risk to users.
• Cost Savings: By addressing problems early, SHM minimizes repair costs and prevents expensive overhauls.
• Compliance with Regulations: SHM helps maintain compliance with industry safety standards and reduces liability risks.
• Extended Lifespan: Proper maintenance informed by SHM data prolongs the operational life of infrastructure.

For instance, bridges equipped with vibration sensors can detect anomalies caused by high traffic loads, allowing timely reinforcements to avoid major disruptions.

Conclusion

Infrastructure is the backbone of modern society, and ensuring its health is a responsibility that cannot be overlooked. Recognizing signs of structural damage such as cracks, water seepage, unusual vibrations, tilting, and malfunctioning components is the first step in maintaining structural integrity. SHM provides the tools needed to monitor these signs effectively, offering real-time insights that lead to informed decisions.

Investing in SHM not only safeguards lives but also ensures the sustainability and value of infrastructure assets. Take the proactive approach—Contact Resensys today to explore how our structural health assessment solutions can benefit infrastructure. Let us help you build a safer, more resilient future.