Structural health monitoring (SHM) involves the observation and analysis of data samples coming from a system that monitors changes to the material and geometric properties of structures like buildings (ancient and modern), bridges, dams, tunnels. How this can happen?
SHM monitoring systems are commonly composed of: sensors, data acquisition systems (data logger), data transfer systems, data management systems and data analysis.
Typical measurement samples are: vibration amplitude or frequency, stress state, strain, inclination, displacements, deformation, cracking. Furthermore, it is also important to determine the external actions to which the structure is subject; for this reason, various environmental parameters such as wind, temperature, humidity, etc. are really important.
The analysis of collected data can provide essential information for the correct interpretation of the structural functioning, especially for structures of particular complexity or degradation phenomena in progress where a 24/7 monitoring is strongly recommended.