FAQ
Find answers to common questions about our structural health monitoring solutions
What is Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)?
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is the continuous or periodic capture of vibration, strain, displacement, acoustic or image data via sensors on bridges, buildings, wind turbines and other assets, then analysing that data to detect damage in real time.
Why is SHM important for critical infrastructure, buildings and even demolition projects?
SHM delivers early-warning insights that avert sudden failures, extend service lives and, during demolition, keep neighbouring property and people safe by tracking vibration, tilt and dust in real time. Studies show it can cut unexpected repair costs 20–30 %.
Which sensors are most commonly used in SHM systems?
Typical arrays blend piezoelectric accelerometers (vibration), foil or fibre-optic strain gauges, laser or GNSS displacement transducers, inclinometer chains, temperature probes and acoustic-emission pickups; camera systems add crack tracking.
How much does SHM cost per sensing point, and how do wireless sensors change the equation?
For wired setups, budget €450 – €2 000 per sensing point. Project costs usually split roughly ⅓ equipment, ⅓ installation, ⅓ data hosting/analytics (year 1). Wireless nodes cut wiring and labour 30–50 %, pushing per-point costs down to €250 – €1 000.
Can SHM replace visual inspections?
No. Regulations still mandate periodic visual surveys; SHM serves as a digital twin that lengthens intervals, prioritises visits and records behaviour between walkthroughs.
How does Artificial Intelligence improve SHM accuracy?
AI and machine-learning spot subtle shifts in modal frequencies or strain patterns long before manual thresholds, halving false alarms and enabling predictive dashboards.
How often should SHM data be reviewed or recalibrated?
Best practice: automated anomaly scans daily, engineer dashboard reviews monthly, and full sensor recalibration every 12–24 months depending on drift specs.
What standards or guidelines govern SHM?
Key references include ISO 21940-11 (vibration), ASCE 41-23 (seismic) and France's ITSEOA 2010 Fascicle 03 for reinforced and high-surveillance monitoring.
Does SHM data help with insurance or regulatory compliance?
Yes – many insurers offer premium credits when validated SHM dashboards are shared, and EU critical-infrastructure rules increasingly demand evidence of continuous monitoring.
Which French institutions and associations publish SHM guides?
French public bodies lead research and guidance: CEREMA (national expert reports) and Université Gustave Eiffel (ex-IFSTTAR, academic papers). Professional guidance comes from AFGC, SHM-France, and Europe-wide training like the ICGSM / IMGC course
What are the main types of SHM systems?
Broad families are vibration-based (changes in modal frequency), strain-based (stress redistribution), displacement-based (tilt, settlement, crack width), acoustic-emission (fracture sound) and image-based (computer-vision crack mapping). Modern platforms combine several for robustness.
Can SHM be used for building-demolition monitoring?
Absolutely. Wireless accelerometers, inclinometers and laser displacement sensors stream real-time data during implosion or deconstruction, verifying that vibration and tilt stay below safety thresholds.
What is the difference between inspection, auscultation and continuous monitoring?
Inspection is a scheduled visual/manual check (every 1–6 years). Auscultation is an instrumented but short-duration campaign (days-weeks) using NDT or dynamic tests to "listen" to the structure's response. Continuous monitoring (SHM) installs permanent sensors for 24/7 data. Together they form the three pillars for assessing structural condition.
How does SHM shift maintenance from reactive to proactive and predictive?
By collecting continuous data, SHM flags anomalies before failure (proactive) and feeds AI models that forecast future degradation (predictive), allowing budgets and repairs to be scheduled when condition—not crisis—dictates. Infrastructure owners report 15–40 % lifecycle-cost savings after moving beyond reactive "fix-on-break" modes.