Thursday, November 29, 2007

Halifax Metro Center Monitoring



The Halifax Metro Center has been instrumented with Fiber Optic sensors and a robotic Laser distance meter to monitor its deformations under snow loads and during concerts that require hanging of equipment under the roof.

The monitoring system is permanent and provides data in quasi-real time.

The project is a cooperation between SMARTEC SA and the MacDonnel Group in Halifax.

More details about the project can be found here:

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Updated SMARTEC website


The SMARTEC website was updated.


It is now possible to view Case Study on different past applications, organized by sector.


Monday, November 26, 2007

SHMII Short Course


At the recent SHMII-3 conference, I was invited to speak at the Workshop : Implementing Structural Monitoring in Bridge Management and Maintenance Practices

My presentation was entitle Implemented SHM Practices to Support Bridge Management Decisions and you can see it here.


The other presentations ca be found here.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Structural Health Monitoring Journal Vol 6, No. 3

Here is the table of content of the latest issue of the Structural Health Monitoring Journal :

Zhao-Dong Xu and Zhishen Wu
Simulation of the Effect of Temperature Variation on Damage Detection in a Long-span Cable-stayed Bridge
Structural Health Monitoring 2007 6: 177-189.
[Abstract] [PDF] [References]

Zhan-Sheng Guo
Strain and Temperature Monitoring of Asymmetric Composite Laminate using FBG Hybrid Sensors
Structural Health Monitoring 2007 6: 191-197.
[Abstract] [PDF] [References]

Luke S. Lee, Vistasp M. Karbhari, and Charles Sikorsky
Structural Health Monitoring of CFRP Strengthened Bridge Decks Using Ambient Vibrations
Structural Health Monitoring 2007 6: 199-214.
[Abstract] [PDF] [References]

Gang Niu, Jong-Duk Son, Achmad Widodo, Bo-Suk Yang, Don-Ha Hwang, and Dong-Sik Kang
A Comparison of Classifier Performance for Fault Diagnosis of Induction Motor using Multi-type Signals
Structural Health Monitoring 2007 6: 215-229.
[Abstract] [PDF] [References]

Soheil Saadat, Gregory D. Buckner, and Mohammad N. Noori
Structural System Identification and Damage Detection using the Intelligent Parameter Varying Technique: An Experimental Study
Structural Health Monitoring 2007 6: 231-243.
[Abstract] [PDF] [References]

Ramana M. Pidaparti
Structural Corrosion Health Assessment using Computational Intelligence Methods
Structural Health Monitoring 2007 6: 245-259.
[Abstract] [PDF] [References]

IABSE Pubblication on Cable Vibrations in Cable-Stayed Bridges

IABSE has recently published an interesting book on Cable Vibrations in Cable-Stayed Bridges.

The fifty years of experience of construction of cable-stayed bridges since their establishment as a new category among the classical types have brought an immense progress, ranging from design and conception to materials, analysis, construction, observation and retrofitting. The growing construction of cable-stayed bridges has also triggered researchers’ and designers’ attention to the problem of cable vibrations. Intensive research has been developed all over the world during the last two decades as a consequence of the numerous cases of cable vibrations exhibited by all types of cable-stayed bridges. Despite the increased knowledge of the various vibration phenomena, most of the outcomes and research results have been published in journals and conference proceedings and scarce information is currently provided by the existing recommendations and codes.
The book provides a comprehensive survey on the governing phenomena of cable vibration, both associated with direct action of wind and rain: buffeting, vortex-shedding, wake effects, rain-wind vibration; and resulting from the indirect excitation through anchorage oscillation: external and parametric excitation. Methodologies for assessment of the effects of those phenomena are presented and illustrated by practical examples. Control of cable vibrations is then discussed and state-of-art results on the design of passive control devices are presented.
The book is complemented with a series of case reports reflecting the practical approach shared by experienced designers and consultants: Yves Bournand (VSL International), Chris Geurts (TNO), Carl Hansvold (Johs. Holt), Allan Larsen (Cowi) and Randall Poston (WDP & Associates).
Order Form
188 pages, in English
Structural Engineering Documents 9Cable Vibrations in Cable-Stayed BridgesElsa de Sa Caetano
ISBN 978-3-85748-115-4Format: 170 x 240 mmPublished October 2007
Price:IABSE Members: CHF 40.-Non-Members: CHF 70.-

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

ISHMII Best Paper Award


I am honored to report that the ISHMII Best Paper Award, was awarded to our group at the SHMII-3 Conference recently held in Vancouver, Canada.

The prestigious prize was awarded for the paper entitled "Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing for Long-Range Monitoring of Pipelines" by Daniele Inaudi and Branko Glisic.

We are grateful to the SHMII-3 scientific committee for having selected our paper among the more than 200 submitted paper.

Monday, November 19, 2007

New ISHMII Concil Members and Vice Presidents

During the SHMII-3 conference, new concil members and Vice Presidents were elected.

New Council Members:
  • Fritz Brunner
  • Alessandro De Stefano
  • You Lin Xu

New Vice Presidents:

  • Wolfgang Habel
  • Farhad Ansari

New ISHMII Fellows

At the SHMII-3 banquet, Dr. Aftab Mufti, president of ISHMII, announced the election of the first fellows of the ISHMII Society:
Dr. Emin Aktan
Dr. Farhad Ansari
Dr. Baidar Bakht
Dr. Yozo Fujino
Dr. Jan-Ming Ko
Dr. Urs Meier
Dr. Emin Aktan, Dr. Yozo Fujino, Dr. Jan-Ming Ko and Dr. Urs Meier are the founding members of the society. At a meeting at EMPA in Switzerland on 24 July 2003, the International Group on the Structural Health Monitoring was established. The objectives and work plan of the Group were established. Eventually the Group agreed to form the ISHMII society.

Dr. Farhad Ansari, chair of the advisory committee of the ISHMII council, has devoted a great deal of time and effort to help in the establishment of our Society. His help has been invaluable in organizing ISHMII and ensuring that we meet our goals.

Dr. Baidar Bakht has made tremendous contributions in Canada to ensure that SHM has become a part of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. This particular development will lead to ISHMII being very active and strong in Canada.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Confederation bridge monitoring


During the SHMII workshop on "Implementing Structural Health Monitoring in Bridge Management and Maintenance Practice", Mr McGinn gave a fascianting presentation on the monitoring of the Confederation Bridge in New Brunswick, Canada (http://www.confederationbridge.com/).

The SHM system has been in service for 10 years and has provided information on the ageing of the bridge, confirming the design assumptions. The monitoring system has also been used to quantify the impact of extreme events on the bridge, which is the longest bridge in teh world over iced water.

Steve Chase Opening Lecture

In the opening session of the SHMII conference in Vancouver, Dr. Steve Chase, recently retired from Federal Highway Administration in USA (FHWA) has delivered a eye-opening talk entitled "Why is Intelligent Infrastructure Needed?".
Dr. Chase explained that there are currently 597'000 highway bridges in the US and that about 50'000 of them are currently classified as Load deficient, meaning that they do not correspond to the load that should be allowed on them. All of these "deficient" bridges were declared so on the base of visual inspection and mathematical analysis and only a handful (less than 10) have actually been load rated through a load test.
With the current inspection practice, vulnerability and reliability are not addresses and most damage and deterioration processes cannot be addressed by visual inspection alone. No information on the long-term performance of foundations is collected, since these cannot usually be inspected.
To improve bridge management and safety, more information is therefore needed. Technology is available to complement the current inspection practices, but not widely used since it is unproven and not mandatory.
Intelligent Infrastructures would enhance the ability of detecting unsafe conditions and to quantify the bridge performance in the long term.

To address these issues, FHWA has launched the "Long Term Bridge Performance Program", managed by Hamid Ghasemi. The program is currently evaluating proposals to select the prime contractor.

SHMII Conference Venues

In the recent ISHMII meeting it was decided that the following congresses will be organized in the following venues:

July 2009: Zurich, ETHZ, organized by Prof. Maier at EMPA
2011: Mexico, dates and location to be confirmed
2013: A call for proposal has been opened and a decision will be taken in 2009 in Zurich. Proposed venues include Washington (USA) and Hong-Kong.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Ship Hull Monitoring

Smartec SA, a has provided, in conjunction with the Italian Company Pegaso Systems S.r.l., a
structural monitoring system, solely based on fiber optic technology, for the tanker ship “Four Island”. The system has been installed during the recent refurbishment works of the ship in Vinashin shipyard (Vietnam).

The “Four Island” ship is an oil tanker (approx. 100’000 tons of gross tonnage) which is now equipped with a ship hull structural monitoring system consisting of 48 fiber optic SMARTprofile MuST sensors expressly developed by Smartec and Pegaso Systems S.r.l. for this new application. In fact, this is the first fiber optic monitoring system in the world, totally designed and integrated in an operating ship of this size.
Over the years, Smartec has instrumented many civil and industrial structures, but this is the first time that we have provided a monitoring system expressly developed and dedicated to a naval application. Our systems will contribute to real-time diagnosis of the ship structural
behaviour, with particular reference to critical points and sections of the ship frame. We expect this technology to be used on many other aging and new ships around the world.
Here is the full Press Release.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Bridge Safety by Lexus

Here is the short documentary on bridge safety.



It is presented by Lexus, directed by Danny T of Boxer and features an interview of myself and Prof Christian Menn.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

IABSE Annual Meeting 2008


The IABSE congress on
will be held in Chicago, USA, on September 17-19, 2008.


The Congress covers the following topics:



1. Design Challenges


Adaptive reuse and sustainability of structures
Affordable urban environments and infrastructure
New techniques for analysis, design and construction
Progressive failure, robustness, security, seismic retrofitting, and serviceability


2. Learning from Experience


Techniques for evaluating structures
Strengthening and upgrading
Forensics/failures and lessons learned
Criteria for assessment and risk management


3. Creative Design and Construction Processes


Role of building information modeling and I.C.T in design and construction
New materials and technologies for design and construction
Engineering ethics
Means and methods (ways and means) of construction


4. Engineering as a Global Profession


Codes and standards
Economic effect on design and construction
Post-disaster response
Educational approaches in a dynamic world


Important Dates



30 November 2007: Deadline for receipt of abstracts
31 December 2007: Notification of acceptance of papers
29 February 2008: Deadline for receipt of papers
31 March 2008: Mailing of Final Invitation
31 May 2008: Notification of acceptance of papers
1 July 2008: Close of early registration and notification of type of presentation
14-16 September 2008: IABSE Annual Meetings
17-19 September 2008: IABSE Congress


Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Monitoring a large building fleet


More than 2000 fiber optic sensors have been installed in the framework of a building fleet monitoring project, which is probably the largest worldwide. SMARTEC and SOFOTEC have been working together since September 2000 as partners for structural health monitoring projects for public housings in Singapore.

Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state often described as a gateway to Asia with a city landscape of tall buildings. The Singapore's public housing authority has an impressive record of providing high standard public housing for Singaporeans through a comprehensive building program. As part of a continual improvement program for the newly build residential buildings, long-term structural health monitoring has been initiated. The monitoring is to be performed during the whole lifespan of the buildings, from construction and throughout the service life. The aims of monitoring are:


  1. to increase the knowledge concerning the real structural behavior,

  2. to control the construction process,

  3. to increase the safety during the service,

  4. to enhance maintenance activities

  5. to evaluate the structural condition after events such as tremor, unexpected weather conditions or terrorists acts.


“It is the first time that the SOFO® fiber optic sensor systems have been used for life cycle monitoring of a large-scale park of high-rise buildings. Besides providing the sensors, SMARTEC also contributed by developing a complete monitoring program, including engineering solutions, data analysis and the software for data interpretation” said Nicoletta Casanova, CEO of SMARTEC. “Our fiber optic systems will contribute to everyone’s safety and peace of mind by monitoring and detecting any anomalies or degradation of the buildings. After a dramatic event, such as an earthquake, people can rapidly be reassured about the safety of their homes and return to their normal lives. We expect this technology to be used on many other buildings worldwide”, she added.
“The top priority of SOFOTEC business philosophy is to fulfill our customer’s needs. We aim not just to provide a system, but a solution to our customers. We have been working very closely together with our customers to resolve any obstacles”, said KP Kwan, Sales & Marketing Director of SOFOTEC and he further emphasized that the foresight and continual efforts of the public housing authority in providing quality housing by exploiting latest building technologies plays a vital role. “Together with the committed supports from SMARTEC, we will jointly make our structural health monitoring application for residential buildings in Singapore a landmark project in the world”, he added.


The main objectives and initial results of this large project can be found in this paper: "Long-term monitoring of high-rise buildings using long-gage fiber optic sensors", B. Glisic, D. Inaudi, J.M. Lau, Y.C. Mok, C.T. Ng,7th International conference on multi-purpose high-rise towers and tall buildings, Dubai, UAM, December 10-11'(2005)


Monday, November 5, 2007

4th European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring

The 4th European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring will be held on 2-4 July 2008 in Cracow.
This is the fourth in a series of bi-annual European Workshops, following Cachan (France 2002), Munich (Germany, 2004) and Granada (Spain, 2006).
The conference will cover activities related to:
  • damage detection and evaluation in engineering structures,
  • signal processing,
  • sensor development,
  • analytical techniques and experimental case studies.

Among the various fields of research oriented towards the development of smart materials and structures, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is particularly promising. SHM has attracted significant attention in recent years for its wide potential of applications, especially for civil infrastructures, aircraft and aerospace vehicles.

The extended abstract submission deadline is November 16, 2007.

Here is the official conference website

Smart Bridge in NY state

A bridge in Colton, N.Y., is the site of an effort to find better tools and methods for monitoring the structural integrity of the nation’s highway and road bridges.

Prof. Kerop Janoyan, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Clarkson University has instrumented it with a number of wireless sensors to monitor its response to traffic loading.

Here is an article from the New York Times on the project.
The article also mentions other NDT techniques, like ground penetrating radar. It is encouraging that the media is still keeping their interest high on SHM and bridge safety.