An innovative geotechnical and structural monitoring system based on the use of NSHT

Abstract

The development of innovative early warning systems (EWS), structural health monitoring (SHM) and structural health monitoring and reinforcement (SHMR) systems is essential to prevent the occurrence of potentially dangerous events on engineering works, buildings and in the natural environment. Their effectiveness can be improved by using new generation sensors able to realize widespread, low-cost monitoring at increasing spatial and temporal resolution. The main aim of the research is, therefore, to develop a versatile strain transducer capable of monitoring elements of different nature such as slopes, buildings and linear infrastructures performing distributed real-time measurements. The paper introduces a new smart hybrid transducer (NSHT), a strain transducer belonging to the distributed optical fiber sensors family, appositely designed to overcome the drawbacks of traditional solutions. An experimental laboratory setup was arranged to test its reliability and a comparison between measurements retrieved by the NSHT and traditional devices were done. The results showed that the NSHT is able to perform strain monitoring with spatial resolution as high as 5 cm and accuracy comparable to that of the traditional devices. Finally, an integrated structural and geotechnical monitoring system architecture based on its use is proposed for the Petacciato site, where a deep-seated landslide affects the historical town and some infrastructures. To realize a single communication line in such a complex monitoring system, where multiple elements have to be monitored, a specific tool was also designed and tested, that allows the exact spatial identification of the various elements under observation. Although on-site validation is needed, these early results are encouraging and demonstrate that the NSHT is a low-cost transducer with great potential and that, looking forward, it can be used to increase the effectiveness of the existing EW, SHM and SHMR Systems. The development of systems involving NSHT also follows the new approach to innovation policy contributing to different points of the 2030 Agenda