Evaluation of High-Precision Sensors in Structural Monitoring.docVIP

Sensors 2010, 10, 10803-10827; doi:10.3390/s101210803 OPEN ACCESS sensors ISSN 1424-8220 /journal/sensors Article Evaluation of High-Precision Sensors in Structural Monitoring Bihter Erol Geomatics Engineering Department, Civil Engineering Faculty, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak 34469 Istanbul, Turkey; E-Mail: bihter@.tr; Tel.: +90-212-285-3821; Fax: +90-212-285-3821 Received: 27 September 2010; in revised form: 12 November 2010 / Accepted: 30 November 2010 / Published: 2 December 2010 Abstract: One of the most intricate branches of metrology involves the monitoring of displacements and deformations of natural and anthropogenic structures under environmental forces, such as tidal or tectonic phenomena, or ground water level changes. Technological progress has changed the measurement process, and steadily increasing accuracy requirements have led to the continued development of new measuring instruments. The adoption of an appropriate measurement strategy, with proper instruments suited for the characteristics of the observed structure and its environmental conditions, is of high priority in the planning of deformation monitoring processes. This paper describes the use of precise digital inclination sensors in continuous monitoring of structural deformations. The topic is treated from two viewpoints: (i) evaluation of the performance of inclination sensors by comparing them to static and continuous GPS observations in deformation monitoring and (ii) providing a strategy for analyzing the structural deformations. The movements of two case study objects, a tall building and a geodetic monument in Istanbul, were separately monitored using dual-axes micro-radian precision inclination sensors (inclinometers) and GPS. The time series of continuous deformation observations were analyzed using the Least Squares Spectral Analysis Techniqu