Construction Monitoring and Observation

Construction Monitoring and Observation
Presentation of the Course Unit

Introduction to Construction Monitoring and Observation
Carlos Sousa
September 2017
Summary
• Main objectives of the course unit

• Teachers
• Programme
• Organization of the course unit
• Bibliography
• Introduction to the theme Construction Monitoring and Observation
– Brief historical evolution of observation methods
– Examples of application of Construction Monitoring and Observation
1
Main objectives of the CU
• Provide basic knowledge about the

techniques and methodologies employed in instrumentation,
and about the measuring devices
for observation of the structural behaviour in
the different phases of a construction’s life
• Present non-destructive techniques for

diagnosis and assessment of structural safety
• Highlight the relevance of monitoring and observation

through the presentation of real case studies
Teachers
• Álvaro Cunha
• Carlos Sousa
Contact hours outside classes:
Tuesdays 16h – 18h
Thursdays 11h – 13h
2
Programme (weeks 1 to 8)
1. Introduction
2. Metrology
• Measurement quality
• Transducer characteristics
3. Transducer calibration
4. Measuring techniques
• Strain measurement
• Displacement measurement
• Force and pressure measurement
• Temperature measurement
5. Monitoring systems
6. Non destructive techniques for inspection and diagnosis
• Concrete degradation
• Reinforcement corrosion
Organization of the CU
• Teaching methods and learning activities

– Theoretical and practical classes
– Laboratorial works and demonstrations
– Problem solving
• Language
– English (and Portuguese)
• Eligibility for exams (attendance)

– Maximum number of absences: 3
3
Organization of the CU
• Final grading (type of assessment)

25%  Distributed Evaluation + 75%  Final Exam
max
Final Exam
• Distributed Evaluation
– Two short-duration tests (25 min), at the beginning of two classes:
• 16 October (Test1)
• 13 November (Test2)
– Distributed Evaluation = 50%  Test1 + 50%  Test2
• Final Exam
– Final Exam = max {Normal Exam; Complementary Exam}
Bibliography (weeks 1 to 7)
• Introdução às Técnicas de Medição para Observação de Estruturas de

Engenharia Civil
Carlos Sousa, FEUP, in Portuguese
• Slides displayed in the classes, in English
• Laboratories of Instrumentation for Measurement

Restivo et al. (2008), Editora UP (CD), English and Portuguese, €9,90
• Instrumentation for Engineering measurements, 2nd edition

Dally, Riley & McConnel (1993)
• Corrosion of Steel in Concrete: Prevention, Diagnosis, Repair, 2nd edition

L Bertolini, B Elsener, P Pedeferri, E Redaelli, R Polder (2013)
• Monitoring and safety evaluation of existing concrete structures

CEB-FIP Bulletin Nº22 (2003)
4
Introduction to the theme
• Historical evolution of observation methods
• Examples of Application of Construction Monitoring and Observation
Historical evolution of
observation methods
Observation :
Consists in the characterization, through experimental techniques,

of the mechanical behaviour of materials and structures
under the effect of applied actions
5
observation methods
Historical evolution
• Middle ages
– experiments in iron, glass and wood
• Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

– strength of iron wires
subjected to tensile forces
– beams subjected to bending moments,
determining the correct relationship
between the resistance and the cross
section dimensions (width and depth)
– Columns of different lengths
and influence of buckling effects Real bridge based on an
original drawing by
Leonardo da Vinci
observation methods
• Galileu (1564-1642)
– “Discorsi”: the beginning of Mechanics of the Materials
– First attempts to establish a bending design model
Discorsi Galileu’s cantilever model

• R. Hooke
– bases of the Theory of Elasticity
“Ut Tensio Sic Vis” (As the extension, so the force) (1676)
6
observation methods
• Parent (18th century)

– Numerous tests to determine the ultimate capacity of wood beams
• Buffon (1740)
– First tests to determine the shear strength of wood beams
• Charles Dupin (1811)

– First tests following a robust scientific methodology, in wood beams, to
study the bending behaviour
– Dupin found that the mid-span displacement of simply supported beams
subjected to a point load is inversely proportional to the cube of the
section depth
observation methods
• Lamé (1828), Vicat (1830)

– Numerous tests in steel bars and wires, for application in suspension
bridges
• Chevandier and Wertheim (1846)

– Extensive experimental tests in wood specimens
– Difference between longitudinal and transverse modulus of elasticity
• Considère (1899)
– Numerous tests in plain and reinforced concrete specimens
– At the time, this was an important support to the design of concrete
structures
7
observation methods
• After 1950:
– Development of large laboratories
(in North America, Europe, etc…)
Experiments in reduced scale models
– Evolution of experimental techniques

Development of sophisticated measurement instruments:
• Precise, portable and robust equipments
– Development of dynamic testing techniques

mainly after the second world war
– Advances in computer science

Development of acquisition systems,
remote transmission systems,
and control units.
observation methods
Precast-prestressed concrete bridges 1:

Pilot tests of continuous girders
Journal of the PCA, 1960
8
observation methods
Precast-prestressed concrete bridges I:

Creep and shrinkage studies
Journal of the PCA, 1961
observation methods
• After 1950, in Portugal too:
– Important developments in the Structural Monitoring Division of the
National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC)
– Development of innovative monitoring techniques
– The first important structure monitored by LNEC: “Ponte Sobre o Rio
Sousa” (1948)
“Ponte sobre o Rio Sousa” in the North of Portugal
9
observation methods
– Worth mentioning: monitoring during the construction of the “Arrabida

Bridge”, by LNEC (1963)
For the first time, the transference of forces, from the scaffolding to the
concrete structure, upon removal the temporary supports, was measured
Construction of Arrabida Bridge,

designed by Edgar Cardoso
observation methods
• After 1950, in Portugal too:
– Innovative instruments developed by Edgar Cardoso:
Mechanical instruments to measure deflections, strains and rotations
Electrical strain gages and acquisition devices
“autoinfluenciógrafo” to plot experimental influence lines
“autoinfluenciógrafo” developed
by Edgar Cardoso (1968)
10
observation methods
• Traditional observation techniques
1) Periodic visual inspection

– Inspections performed by trained experts, for detection of
repair/replacement needs, or the need of more detailed inspections
– Important method, but uneconomical and incomplete (relies on intuition)
2) Non-destructive Techniques for observation
– Assessment of concrete and steel condition, in the case of RC structures
3) In-situ measurements and numerical analyses
observation methods
• Current trend
– Structural Health Monitoring

– “Automatized surveillance” – frequent, or continuous observation
– Real-time information about the structural behaviour
– A network of sensors is used for observation of parameters related to the
structure behaviour
– Measurements are automatically recorded and analysed using algorithms
for continuous assessment of the structure condition
11
Examples of Application
Example 1
Monitoring and structural surveillance of concrete bridges in critical condition.

The case of Foz Dão Bridge
C. Rodrigues, C. Sousa, H. Figueiras, R. Faria & J. Figueiras

57º Congresso Brasileiro do Concreto, Bonito, 2015

Example 2
MOTIVATION:
• The Foz Dão Bridge, in the Centre of Portugal, exhibits structural

deficiencies, at the bottom of the columns, caused by the progression of
Alcalis-Silica reactions.
• A new bridge is under construction, to replace the existing one.
• While the construction works are not concluded, there’s a risk of progressive
damage in the columns, which can have serious consequences.
• A real-time damage detection procedure was implemented, considering the

rotations measured at the top of the columns, and relative displacements in
the expansion joints.
The damage detection algorithm is based on the normal correlation between
the concrete temperature distribution and the rotations at the top of the
columns.
12
Example 2
STRUCTURE AND INSTRUMENTATION:
Coimbra
Viseu
ED
EE
P1
P2 P8
P3
P7
P4 Longitudinal view
P6
P5
of Foz Dão Bridge
Montante Jusante
M Tr J
RO-Pi-Lo
RO-Pi-Tr
Montante Jusante E Transducers to measure
Lo longitudinal and
RO-Pi-Lo D transverse rotations
RO-Pi-Tr

Example 2
DATA ACQUISITION AND ACCESS TO THE RESULTS:
(rede de sensores
(sensors na estrutura)
network)
PO
(DataTaker)
(Data Taker)
www.
www. Mobile
rede decommunications network
comunicação móvel
(utilizador final)
(Final User) (servidor
(Externalexterno)
server) (router na obra)
(Router)
13
Example 2
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE NORMAL STRUCTURE BEHAVIOUR:
Deformed shape due

to a temperature
gradient in the columns

Example 2
NORMAL CORRELATION PATTERN AND SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURE:
Results for one of the monitored columns:

Measured rotation
Calculated rotation, based on the normal correlation with measured concrete temperatures
Difference between measured and calculated rotation
14
Other examples of application
Safety assessment of existing structures

Examples -- Safety assessment of existing structures
The resistance of several existing structures

is inadequate, according to current design codes
There’s a growing awareness, in the society, of the

economical and social effects of constructions’ aging
Repair and strengthening costs are usually greater than

the cost of new constructions

There’s a strong justification for a rigorous and
advanced evaluation of the real need of intervention
15
i. Assessment of structural integrity after accidents, earthquakes,

explosions, fires, etc.
Structure damaged by fire

ii. Assessment of the structural integrity in structures with signs of

deterioration (excessive cracking, concrete spalling, rebar corrosion,
excessive deformations, etc.)
Example of rebar corrosion and concrete spalling
16
iii. Safety assessment of structures suspected to be substandard in

design, detail, material or construction
Example: In-situ load testing of

precast concrete planks with
drums filled with water
(in: Structure Magazine, April 2014)

iv. Building structures undergoing change in use or occupancy

or increasing applied loads
Example: Measurement of
displacements during the load test of
an industrial building’s slab
17
v. Support to the choice of the strategy for intervention (repair,

strengthening or replacement)
vi. Verification of the efficiency of strengthening/repair procedures

vii. Interpretation of damage evidences observed in real structures

through the laboratorial testing of small- or real-scale models
18
Observation of special structures during construction and in service

Examples – Observation during construction and in service
• Construction observation consists in:
– Characterization of mechanical properties

of the materials
– Quantification of applied actions

(wind, highway and railway traffic,
collision forces, earthquake actions, etc.)
– Characterization of the structural response

due to known (or unknown) actions
– Characterization of the time variation

of the structural response
19
Dimande, 2010

Example – Bridge scour (removal of sediments such as sand and rocks from around
bridge abutments or piers, caused by swiftly moving water)
Entre-os-Rios Bridge, in Portugal
- Inaugurated in 1887
- Collapsed in 2001 – 59 victims
- Failure of pier P4, due to scour
Could monitoring have

prevented this disaster?
20
Example – Scour monitoring
Traditional technique, based on inspections:

Example – Scour monitoring
Modern technique: continuous monitoring
21
Example – Intervention in D. Luís Bridge for different usage (Metro do Porto)

– Original construction between 1881 e 1886
– Traffic modification (2003-2005)  Retrofitting and strengthening works

Example – Intervention in D. Luís Bridge for different usage (Metro do Porto)
Félix, 2004
22
Example – Concrete bridges with phased construction

Corgo Viaduct, in Vila Real

Example – Dynamic effects in Railway Bridge Decks

Measurement of deformations due to railway traffic
in the Alverca Flyover, in Portugal
23
Research

Examples – Research
i. Interpretation of the structural response of building components
Example: Buckling tests
24
ii. Laboratorial characterization of constitutive models for new materials
Example: validation of
constitutive models for fibre
reinforced concrete

iii. Development and validation of design codes

and theoretical analysis procedures
furação DIWIDAG
2000,0mm
1000,0mm
(LAJE) 180,0mm
troço de pilar
macaco hidráulico servo-controlado
Punching shear tests
25
iv. Development of new construction techniques and solutions
350
334,576
300
250
200
Força (k N)
150
100
59,422
50
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Deslocamento (mm)
Example: screwed connection for rebar coupling
Bibliographic references
• Cardoso, E., 1968

Cálculo experimental de estruturas com base na análise de modelos reduzidos. Um
autoinfluenciógrafo mecânico-electrónico e outra aparelhagem.
• Dimande, A., 2010

Análise experimental de pontes durante a construção e em serviço.
PhD Thesis
• Félix, C., 2004

Monitorização e análise do comportamento de obras de arte.
PhD Thesis
• Kaar, P., Kriz, B. & Hognestad, E., 1960

Precast-prestressed concrete bridges. 1 - Pilot tests of continuous girders.
Journal of the PCA Research and Development Laboratories
• Mattock, A., 1961

Precast-prestressed concrete bridges. 5 – Creep and shrinkage studies.
Journal of the PCA Research and Development Laboratories
• Rodrigues, C., Sousa, C., Figueiras, H., Faria, R. & Figueiras, J., 2015
Monitorização e vigilância estrutural de pontes de betão com estados críticos de conservação – o caso
da Ponte de Foz Dão.
57º Congresso Brasileiro do Concreto
26
Bibliographic references
• Sarmento, A., 1997

A experimentação como metodologia de interpretação do comportamento de estruturas de betão.
PhD Thesis
• Sousa, C., Rodrigues, C., Malveiro, J., Calçada, R. & Serra Neves, A., 2014
Caracterização do comportamento cíclico de vigas de betão armado fendilhadas, com sensores de
Bragg.
Congresso Nacional de Mecânica Experimental
• Sousa, H., Sousa, C., Serra Neves, A., Bento, J. & Figueiras, J., 2015
Surveillance of continuous precast concrete bridge decks supported by monitoring-based techniques
International Conference on Multi-span large bridges
• CEB-FIP Bulletin Nº22, 2003

Monitoring and safety evaluation of existing concrete structures.
27

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Construction Monitoring and Observation

Presentation of the Course Unit

• Main objectives of the course unit

• Provide basic knowledge about the

• Present non-destructive techniques for

• Highlight the relevance of monitoring and observation

• Teaching methods and learning activities

• Eligibility for exams (attendance)

• Final grading (type of assessment)

• Introdução às Técnicas de Medição para Observação de Estruturas de

• Slides displayed in the classes, in English

• Laboratories of Instrumentation for Measurement

• Instrumentation for Engineering measurements, 2nd edition

• Corrosion of Steel in Concrete: Prevention, Diagnosis, Repair, 2nd edition

• Monitoring and safety evaluation of existing concrete structures

• Historical evolution of observation methods

• Examples of Application of Construction Monitoring and Observation

Consists in the characterization, through experimental techniques,

• Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Discorsi Galileu’s cantilever model

• Parent (18th century)

• Charles Dupin (1811)

• Lamé (1828), Vicat (1830)

• Chevandier and Wertheim (1846)

– Evolution of experimental techniques

– Development of dynamic testing techniques

– Advances in computer science

Precast-prestressed concrete bridges 1:

Precast-prestressed concrete bridges I:

“Ponte sobre o Rio Sousa” in the North of Portugal

– Worth mentioning: monitoring during the construction of the “Arrabida

Construction of Arrabida Bridge,

• Traditional observation techniques

1) Periodic visual inspection

– Structural Health Monitoring

Monitoring and structural surveillance of concrete bridges in critical condition.

C. Rodrigues, C. Sousa, H. Figueiras, R. Faria & J. Figueiras