Monitoring of horizontal movements of high-rise buildings and tower transmitters by means of ground-based interferometric radar

Abstract

The paper describes possibilities of the relatively new technics - ground based radar interferometry for precise determining of deformation of structures. Special focus on the horizontal movements of high-rise buildings and on the tower transmitters is presented. The technology of ground based radar interferometry can be used in practice to the contactless determination of deformations of such structures with accuracy up to 0.01 mm in real time. It is also possible to capture oscillations of the object with a frequency up to 50 Hz in real time. Deformations can be determined simultaneously in multiple places of the object, for example in the case of high-rise buildings it is possible to monitor the horizontal vibration of the whole object at its different height levels intervals of one or more meters. It is possible to detect and determine the compound oscillations that occur in some types of such buildings. This allows to obtain both overall and detailed information about the properties of the structure during its dynamic load e.g. by wind. Then prevent any damage or even disasters in these objects. In addition to the necessary theory basic principles of using radar interferometry for determining of deformation of structures are given. Practical examples of determining of horizontal movements of high-rise building and tower transmitter are also given. The IBIS-S interferometric radar of the Italian IDS manufacturer was used for the measurements.