Our iSHM systems monitor bridges and other structures over timescales of months. They measure changes in the orientation, displacement and curvature of structural elements. The challenge for a Structural Health Monitor (SHM) is to to measure very small changes that occur over very long periods. Our systems are designed to operate with minimal support infrastructure: they have optional solar modules and only require mobile network coverage.
Sensitive, stable
iSHM has been designed to work with a wide range of sensors both proprietory and third party. Our proprietory sensors are temperature compensated, digital and communicate using an industrial bus. This ensures accuracy and maintains precision over the long term.
Off-grid
With a solar cell module, low power design, and smart communications options, iSHM can function for long periods without maintenance and without infrastructure. In fact iSHM requires only intermittant coverage from a mobile telephone network.
Any large structure is subject to forces that will cause it to deviate from its original design. As a structure ages, components such as bearings will fail, cable stays will weaken and the cumulative effects of cyclic or exceptional loads will reduce the structure’s resistance. Over its lifetime the structure must also cope with geological processes, such as settling of the foundations, soil pressure, slippage and erosion. These processes set up a series of forces on the bridge that will cause structural members to bend, change orientation, and shift position relative to one another.
Physical inspections of a bridge will detect these problems before they become a safety issue.