Recent research and applications of GPS-based monitoring technology for high-rise structures

TLDR

Monitoring the response of structures, especially tall buildings, under severe loading conditions is essential for validating design and construction and for maintenance. This paper reviews research and development activities since 1995 in high‑rise structure health monitoring using the Global Positioning System. The review describes GPS monitoring technology and its accurate assessment method, details progress in measuring displacement caused by wind, thermal variation, and earthquakes, and surveys state‑of‑the‑art augmentations. The review identifies current problems and outlines promising research directions for GPS‑based health monitoring. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Monitoring the response of structures, especially tall buildings, under severe loading conditions is an important requirement for the validation of their design and construction, as well as being a maintenance concern. This paper presents a review of current research and development activities (since 1995) in the field of high-rise structure health monitoring using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS monitoring technology and its accurate assessment method are firstly briefly described. Then, the progresses on monitoring the displacement of the high-rise structure caused by the ambient effects including wind, thermal variation, and earthquake-induced responses are discussed in details. Following that, the states of the art of augmenting the GPS monitoring technology are reviewed. Finally, existing problems and promising research efforts in the GPS-based health monitoring are given. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.