Palazzo Medici - Florence, Italy

Background

Due to its geographical position in the convergence zone between the African plate and the Eurasian plate, Italy is one of the countries with the greatest seismic risk in the Mediterranean.

The Italian Civil Protection Department has assessed the seismic risk being highest in certain areas where the strongest tremors are concentrated. However, since it is not possible to predict with certainty when, where, and with what force an earthquake will occur, being prepared is the best way to prevent and reduce the consequences of an earthquake.

In addition to coordinating emergency assistance to the population in the event of a national emergency, the Italian Civil Protection Service elaborates and coordinates the national plans for risk scenarios and tests their effectiveness through exercises, promotes activities aimed at forecasting and risk prevention, and defines the general criteria for identifying seismic areas and elaborates the general guidelines for training activities in the field of civil protection.

Challenge

Solution

Our Partner in Italy, Pizzi Instruments, has extensive experience in offering structural monitoring instruments and solutions, as well as offering engineering oversight throughout all phases of a project. Pizzi has worked with the Italian Civil Protection Department on a number of projects of special historical significance. For Palazzo Medici, they installed GeoSIG's Digital Sensor System with AC-7X accelerometers which comprises a GMSplus seismic recorder installed on the ground and four bilateral measurement points positioned at the corners of the highest floor of the palace. The installed solution offers reliable and continuous monitoring, providing data based on event detection.
 

Another solution using GeoSIG instruments and a capable partner showing that quality and reliability can also be cost effective.

 

PLTA Asahan1 - Toba, Indonesia

Background

The Asahan 1 Hydroelectric Power Plant (also known as PLTA Asahan 1) makes use of the flow of the Asahan River. Starting from Lake Toba in North Sumatra, the Asahan River flows downstream on the west coast of Sumatra and to sea, generating more than 1,000 Megawatts a year. PLTA Asahan 1 is located approximately 130 km SE of Medan city, and it is the first power plant using the exploitation design concept of three power plants in the river sector.

Challenge

Solution

Our Partner in Indonesia, Andalan Tunas Mandiri, has extensive experience in offering structural monitoring solutions, as well as offering engineering oversight throughout all phases of a project. Andalan Tunas Mandiri has instrumented numerous dam and power plant projects since its founding in 2007.
 

Another solution using GeoSIG instruments and a capable partner showing that quality and reliability can also be cost effective.

 

Natural Caverns, Brazil

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Background

People have been using metals for more than 9,000 years when they first discovered how to get copper from its ore. We use metals in every facet of our lives, from the pipes and fasteners in our homes to the vehicles we use to travel to the tools used by surgeons or mechanics or artists. We wear jewelry. We build computers. Metals are an intrinsic part of our everyday lives. Because metals are found in the earth, they must be mined.

Vale SA is a multinational corporation that is engaged in metals and mining; it is one of the largest logistics operators in Brazil. Vale is the largest producer of iron ore and nickel in the world, but it also produces manganese, ferroalloys, copper, bauxite, potash, kaolin, and cobalt.
 

Challenge

The objective of the project was to monitor the stability and impact of nearby mining activities on a series of small natural caverns located in Brazil, which are protected by Brazil environmental regulations. Vale wanted to present to the authorities real data to ensure their mining activities would not impact the protected caverns.
 

Solution

Our Partner, Fugro Brazil, won a contract with Vale to do the monitoring project for several natural caverns. Fugro is the world’s largest integrator of geotechnical, survey, subsea and geosciences services. Its services are specifically designed to support engineering design and large structure building projects.

In one cavern, they placed a GMSplus6, which was attached to two LVDT-100 transducers and a temperature and humidity sensor. In two further caverns they placed two GMSplus6 (for a total of four), which were attached to four LVDT-100 transducers and two temperature and humidity sensors, as well as a power controller and battery. Due to the remoteness of the mines, satellite communication and solar panels were used for monitoring the mines as well as providing state of health information about the equipment/instrument for near online monitoring. Fugro through their cloud servers and their monitoring team are able to provide continuous monitoring and provide alerts, as may be the case, as well as periodical management reports.

Another Solution using GeoSIG instruments demonstrating that quality and reliability can also be cost effective.

Jakarta Cathedral - Jakarta, Indonesia

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Background

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia must cope with the constant risk of earthquakes. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is located in the North of Java Island with approximately 664 sq km total land area and a total population of approximately 10 million* people, with a density about 15,000 people for every sq km.

As the capital city, Jakarta has a long history since the Dutch colonial era. Many historic buildings were built in Jakarta, including church buildings. Today many remaining historical buildings and architecture are steadily deteriorating, but some of the old buildings have been restored to their former glory. One of the buildings that has survived to date is Jakarta Cathedral, a Roman Catholic cathedral that is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Jakarta. Its official name is Gereja Santa Perawan Maria Diangkat ke Surga (The Church of Our Lady of Assumption). This Cathedral was consecrated on 21.04.1901 by Mgr. Edmundus Sybrandus Luypen. It is built in the neo-gothic style, a common architectural style to build churches at that time. On 24.09.2018, Jakarta Cathedral was designated a National Ranking Cultural Heritage Site by the Minister of Education and Culture. Previously in 1993, the cathedral had been designated as the Cultural Heritage Site of the DKI Jakarta Province.

Challenge

Solution

The church has undergone three renovations, first in 1988, 2002 and lastly 2017. In 2017, it was decided to install a Structural Health Monitoring System. P.T. Risen Engineering Consultant, with a wealth of experience in providing end-to-end customized solutions, successfully fulfilled the requirements of this highly prestigious project. The vibration monitoring solution consists of two GeoSIG GMSplus6 data loggers with one internal triaxial accelerometer, three GeoSIG biaxial accelerometers and three GeoSIG uniaxial accelerometers. The tilt monitoring solution consists of
three tiltmeters and one gateway. The installed vibrations solution offers reliable and continuous monitoring, providing data based on event detection. GeoDAS, a proven data acquisition and evaluation package developed by GeoSIG, provides highly flexible user-friendly capabilities, graphical and analytical tools with configurable automation. For early tilting detection of the towers, wireless equipment was used as the data is collected once per hour. One tiltmeter on each tower and one gateway for collecting data from all tiltmeters was used. The tilting data can be seen in real time using a web browser as the gateway acts as a web server.

Another solution using GeoSIG instruments, effectively showing that quality and reliability can also be cost-effective.

Seoul National University of Education - Seoul, South Korea

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Background

The National Disaster Management Institute (NDMI) in South Korea wanted to obtain and develop a low cost monitoring system that would be able to improve the SHM of structures and to adequately increase the spread of the structural performance all around Korea. Studies were needed to provide the necessary information.

Challenge

Solution

The structure studied was the 7-storey main administrative building at Seoul National University of Education. It is a reinforced concrete building with a total height of 26.5m; the building has extensions in all directions. The components of the SHM system included GeoSIG’s AC-7x series accelerometer fixed on the roof, a GMSplus6 data logger with built-in accelerometer and storage PC fixed in the basement, and an AC-7X series accelerometer at free-field (ground) point – 13.26m from the building. The recorded data were digitised by the 24-bit analog-to-digital converters of the GMSplus6 and then sent through a Bluetooth module and access point. All measured data were collected and then stored in secure digital memory. One-channel acquisition devices were used in the study, whereas each acquisition device is synchronised by a signal sender from a computer at each time.

The statistical and wavelet analysis methods were applied to investigate and assess the performance of the building during shaking, and the results implied the elasticity of the deformation responses of the building during the earthquake event. The conclusions drawn from the study included a proposition for a low cost acceleration SHM system to assess the structural performance of the University’s administration building. The results indicated that the proposed low cost acceleration monitoring system, which consisted of three acceleration sensors, data-loggers, and a storage PC, had proven its efficiency in investigating and assessing the structural performance of the building during earthquake shaking.

Another solution using GeoSIG instruments, effectively showing that quality and reliability can also be cost-effective.

* Mosbeh R. Kaloop, Jong Wan Hu, Mohamed A. Sayed, and Jiyoung Seong, “Structural Performance Assessment Based on Statistical and Wavelet Analysis of Acceleration Measurements of a Building during an Earthquake,” Shock and Vibration, vol. 2016, Article ID 8902727, 13 pages, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8902727.
 

Vam Cong Bridge - Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Background

The six-lane Vàm Cong Bridge was opened in May 2019. As well as improving the traffic network, it was expected to reduce cargo transportation time by up to three hours in the Mekong Delta region, a key agricultural production area that supplies 80 percent of Vietnam’s rice exports. The Vàm Cong Bridge runs 2.97 km along the Hau River in southern Vietnam, linking Lap Vo District in Dong Thap Province and Thot Not District in Can Tho City. Its cable-stayed bridge section is 870 m. It is the second-longest cable-stayed steel bridge in Vietnam, and allows travel at a maximum speed of 80 km/h. The bridge took five years to complete.

Challenge

Solution

Such a high profile project required a company with extensive background in this area. Our Partner in South Korea, EJtech, focuses on top-level civil engineering, measurement, surveying, assessment and instrument sales. They have been successfully implementing solutions for their clients since they were founded in 1994, and they have extensive experience in bridge monitoring projects.
 

Yeongjong & Banghwa Bridges - South Korea

Background

The Yeongjong and Banghwa Bridges are part of the Incheon International Airport Expressway in South Korea. Yeongjong Bridge is a double-deck, self-anchored suspension bridge that has a high-speed railway on the lower deck; it measures 4,420 m. Banghwa Bridge is mostly a girder bridge with an arch truss; it crosses the Han River and measures over 2.5 km in length. Both bridges were completed in 2000. They employ a monitoring system to oversee traffic, structural integrity, weather conditions, seismic conditions, etc – things that would affect the usability of the bridges and the safety of the users.

Challenge

Solution

Our Partner in South Korea, EJtech Co. Ltd. (www.ejtech.net), has successfully delivered projects for its clients since it was founded in 1994. EJtech specialises in soft-ground monitoring, structional behavior monitoring, civil engineering, ground investigation, geotomography, measurement automation and network systems, among others.
 

Gwangan Bridge - South Korea

Background

CHUBB Building - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Background

Established in 1999, Dorado Services of Puerto Rico, LLC, is a Puerto Rican-owned corporation based in San Juan. Since their founding, the company have successfully expanded the scope and geographic coverage of services offered to both governmental agencies and the private sector. Dorado’s services vary from waste management, demolition, land management, disaster recovery, general contracting, structural/civil engineering services, facilities maintenance and environmental engineering. What unites them is a focus on safety, technological advances, quality workmanship and experienced management.
 

Challenge

Solution

Dorado Services of Puerto Rico installed a customised SHRM solution consisting of six AC-7X accelerometers in the main office building, four AC-7X accelerometers in the parking garage structure, and two GMSplusD digital seismic recorders used to record and store data from the accelerometers. Additionally, a relay card has been installed to activate emergency risk indicator lights across all floors to notify building occupants of the status of an event, with red indicating a high risk level and green indicating low risk level and no need to evacuate.
 

FAST radio telescope, China

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Background

The Eye of Heaven opened in July 2016. That was when construction was completed for the world’s biggest radio telescope: “Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope” or FAST, located in the Dawodang depression in Pingtang County, Guizhou Province, southwest China. Nicknamed “The Eye of Heaven” or “Heavenly Eye,” it is the size of 30 football fields and cost about 1.2 billion Yuan (£120 million). The project, under the auspices of the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), aims to survey neutral hydrogen in distant galaxies and detect faint pulsars. In the first weeks of opening, more than 2,000 pulsars had already been detected. Researchers also hope FAST will improve the chances of detecting low frequency gravitational waves and help in the search for extra-terrestrial life.
 

Challenge

Southwest China is a very seismically active region. Although the natural geography of the Dawodang depression where the telescope was sited makes it ideal for this purpose, the mountainous area is situated along several faults. This scientifically-important and costly project requires seismic and structural monitoring, both for the preservation of the telescope and to provide important data for researchers.
 

Solution

The NAOC entrusted this work to Earth Products China Limited, or EPC. GeoSIG Partner EPC is a total solution provider in all aspects of civil engineering testing products and is a proven leader its field. A GMSplus6 unit and five GMSplus units were installed on six cable-support towers dotting the circumference of the telescope, each with a height of 150 m. The seismograph recorders are self-contained instruments equipped with uninterruptible power supply, which provides more than 24 hours of autonomy. They use an “Intelligent Adaptive Real Time Clock” (IARTC) with self-learning temperature compensation, improving the accuracy of the RTC or TXCO significantly. The IARTC is able to synchronize with GPS or NTP to UTC timing to provide high timing accuracy. The instruments’ software processes data in real time. If triggered by a seismic event, GMSplus calculates a number of event parameters and reports them to a data centre immediately.

With our eyes on the heavens and our feet on firm ground, we can achieve anything. Another Solution using GeoSIG instruments and a capable Partner demonstrating that quality and reliability can also be cost effective.
 

Second Penang Bridge - Penang, Malaysia

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Background

The Second Penang Bridge is a 24 km bridge linking Penang Island to Penang in mainland Malaysia. The E28 expressway crosses the dual carriageway toll bridge, which is 30 m above water. It’s the second link to Penang Island after Penang Bridge. Construction began in November 2008 and was completed in February 2014, with the opening ceremony on 1 March 2014.
 

Challenge

The Second Penang Bridge is the longest bridge in Malaysia. Although the Malay Peninsula is located on a stable part of the Eurasian Plate, according to historical records the earthquakes that influence the Malay Peninsula originate from two earthquake faults: Sumatran subduction zone and Sumatran fault. For the safety of bridge users and as protection of such an investment, the firm responsible for the bridge wanted a structural health monitoring system (SHMS). The SHMS is used for disaster control, structural health management and data analysis. There were many considerations before implementation which included: force (wind, earthquake, temperature, vehicles); weather (air temperature, wind, humidity and precipitation); and response (strain, acceleration, cable tension, displacement and tilt).
 

Solution

Such a high profile project required a company with extensive background in this area. Our Partner in South Korea, EJtech, focuses on top-level civil engineering, measurement, surveying, assessment and instrument sales. They have been successfully implementing solutions for their clients since they were founded in 1994. The SHMS they implemented included instrumentation from GeoSIG: 10 x GMSplus measuring systems with GPS receivers, 2 x CR-6plus modular multichannel recording systems with GPS receivers, 26 x AC-72-HV biaxial force balance accelerometers, 9 x AC-72-H accelerometers, 1 AC-73 accelerometer, and GeoDAS software.

Another Solution using GeoSIG instruments and a capable Partner effectively showing that quality and reliability can also be cost-effective.
 

11 Airports Project, South Korea

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Background

Airports are an essential element in a nation’s transportation system. In 2016, the top 10 airports in South Korea transported over 135 million passengers. The world over, all airports strive to provide a fully integrated, safe, and seamless transportation link for the people they serve through an efficient airport system that will help build upon economic development success and improve quality of life.
 

Challenge

Part of providing a safe transportation link is to anticipate potential dangers and actively work to monitor and prevent them (or if they are unavoidable, to have a plan of action after they happen).

After a powerful earthquake rocked South Korea in September 2016, it was reported in The Telegraph (13.9.2016) that “experts warned that recent earthquakes in nearby Japan had destabilised fault lines in Korea, adding fuel to fears the peninsula was no longer a ‘safe zone.’”

Korean airports have long understood that earthquakes are a potential danger, so many have taken steps to implement seismic monitoring systems and construct integrated networks to help them carry-out contingency plans.
 

Solution

Our local partner, EJtech Co. Ltd (www.ejtech.net), has offered top-level engineering services since its founding in 1994. EJtech specialises in soft-ground monitoring, structural behaviour monitoring, civil engineering, ground investigation, geotomography, measurement automation and network systems, among others — utilising the most advanced IT and robust technology. EJtech was asked to provide seismic monitoring systems and integrated networks for 11 Korean airports.

In general, monitoring of airports is advised as airport buildings are highly sensitive structures due to the fact that they sustain continuous vibration from their environment, as well as the fact that if there were an earthquake the health of the structure could be assessed rapidly to decide whether the structure is safe to continue its operation or whether the nature of the damage can be assessed to decide on remedial work. Also, the data received from the sensor can be used for proactive maintenance plans for the monitored building.

Each airport has its unique configuration based on the size of the building and the control tower. EJtech has provided the required systems to enable a comprehensive monitoring of each airport building, the control tower and a free field location at each airport.

To effectively and efficiently monitor each airport building and the control tower a combination of AC-71, AC-72 and AC-73 accelerometers are installed, which connect to a host of 3-channel and 6-channel GMSplus digitiser/recorders using fibre optic connectivity due to long distances in a typical airport. This creates a fully integrated local seismic and vibration monitoring system for each airport. The data from all the sensors are received in a data centre, which could be on site or at a remote location for near real-time analysis to monitor the health of the structures on an on-going basis. As these 11 airports are owned by the same company, they are integrated on their internal network so that there is a dedicated data centre used for the monitoring of all the 11 airports within their secure IT setup.

Another Solution using GeoSIG instruments and a capable Partner effectively showing that quality and reliability can also be cost-effective.

Unit 4, Chernobyl, Ukraine

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Background

The Unit 4 reactor explosion at Chernobyl near Pripyat, Ukraine, happened on 26 April 1986, making news worldwide. A sarcophagus was built just after the accident with the aim of containing radioactive materials and protecting the structure, and an exclusion zone was created around the area to restrict access.
 

In 2010, a Ukrainian law came into effect stipulating that the nuclear power plant site is to be cleaned by 2065. As a first and major step toward that goal, NOVARKA was contracted to design and build the New Safe Confinement Structure which, once completed, would enable deconstruction of the damaged reactor by others to commence. NOVARKA is a joint venture by two French companies: VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Bouygues Travaux Publics. The new structure will further contain radioactive materials and protect the existing shelter from weather damage, and ultimately, it will allow work to begin on deconstruction of Unit 4 at some point in the future. The colossal structure (measuring 108 metres in height and with a frame weighing 23,000 tonnes) has a projected lifespan of 100 years.
 

Challenge

The working environment at the site is indeed a challenge due to radiation, but that is not the only concern. Ukraine does experience seismic activity, and the sarcophagus over the reactor has weathered over the years and is in danger of instability. NOVARKA needed a system to monitor strong ground motion. This is further exacerbated by the icy conditions.
 

Solution

Due to the scale and scope of the project, the best solution for monitoring strong ground motion was agreed to be a specially customised SMS system with special GeoDAS-NPP version, along with 2 x CR-6plus units with a combined 30 channels, 10 x AC-23-NPP (accelerometers) with special stainless steel housing (four of which were also externally shielded with a specially-constructed lead armour so that they could be placed inside the containment area), and cables and accessories.
 

The sensors are installed on selected structural members of the confinement shelter arch and its foundations, as well as at a freefield location for reference. Monitoring is performed locally (on site), but there is also the possibility to interact remotely by an authenticated user. The provided system has functions like: detecting seismic events, monitoring the response of the structure to seismic event, detecting abnormal vibration of the Main Crane System bridges during operation, and providing an alarm in case of exceedance of thresholds.
 

The installed solution offers reliable and continuous monitoring, providing realtime data that can be recorded continuously as well as providing data based on event detection. With its enhanced capabilities, the system offers a comprehensive range of statistical data such as mean, max, min, and peak values, as well as many other useful data as may be required by the client. GeoDAS, a proven data acquisition and evaluation package developed by GeoSIG, complements CR- 6plus providing highly flexible user-friendly capabilities, and graphical, analytical and reporting tools with configurable automation.
 

Another Solution using GeoSIG instruments, demonstrating that quality and reliability can also be cost effective.
 

Øresund Bridge, Sweden - Denmark

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Background

The strait between Sweden and Denmark can be crossed by a combined railway and motorway bridge named Øresund Bridge, which runs nearly 8 km from the Swedish coast to an artificial island (Peberholm) in the middle of the strait. From there travelers take the Drogden Tunnel the 4 km from Peberholm to the Danish island of Amager. The Øresund Bridge connects Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmö, Sweden; and it is noted for being the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe.
 

Challenge

Øresund is an impressive highway and railway link consisting of an immersed tunnel, artificial island and a combination bridge requiring observation of the oscillations of cables of the stayed bridge under heavy wind conditions. The scope of the Øresund project was to deliver a Cable Stayed Bridge Structural Monitoring System. 
 

Solution

The bridge system solution monitors the deflections of the bridge under loads generated by highway and railway traffic. Excesses of any threshold values are recorded and managed from an on-site traffic control centre.
 

The system comprises 105 channels and a data acquisition and processing centre; and digital RS-485 cable communication with provision for 15 hours’ autonomy in case of power failure. Temperature/environmental data correlation are made alongside strain gauge measurements with 14 metereological sensors (METEO-TT & METEO-WSDT), 19 GSG-xx strain sensors and 22 AC-53 triaxial force balance accelerometers. A single CR-4 PC-based recording system is used for running programs, SEISLOG data acquisition, CENTRAL remote access, CMS, and static data processing. A telephone line connection to the traffic control centre is provided for data, event and alarm transmission.

Another great solution using GeoSIG instruments, showing that quality and reliability can also be cost-effective.
 

Tainan Railway, Taiwan

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Background

When the Taiwan High Speed Rail was being constructed (for what was the world’s fastest train at the time), planners knew that it would run approximately 345 km from Taipei to Kaohsiung, passing 14 major cities and counties and 77 townships and regions. One area of concern was its proximity to the Tainan Science-Based Industrial Park (TSIP), located in Tainan County, southern Taiwan. The TSIP was a new location for many vibration-sensitive high-tech factories. 
 

Challenge

As a high-speed and high-capacity rail line, the THSR causes induced vibration as it passes next to infrastructures, buildings and residential areas. GeoTech Engineering Consultant Co., Ltd., a company who focuses on automated, remote and integrated geotechnical instrumentation monitoring systems as well as the development of corresponding database management software, was assigned by TSIP to mitigate the vibration caused by the THSR at the science park to ensure the high-tech factories would not be affected by passing trains.
 

Solution

The vibration mitigation project consisted of two specific measures:
• stiffening the elevated guideway structure foundations in TSIP with foundation-stiffening blocks (FSB) that structurally link the pilecaps of the pile-foundations together in the longitudinal direction of the THSR alignment, and
• constructing an underground wave-barrier-wall approximately 30 m to the west and parallel to the THSR alignment.

Since the THSR trains were not operational before vibration mitigation measures were constructed, there were no train-induced free-field ground vibration measurements to be used for comparison with the data obtained after mitigation. Therefore, two sites were required for ground vibration measurement -- Site A, in the mitigated section, and Site B, in the unmitigated section.

A total of 14 GeoSIG instrumented recording stations, all from VE-13 Triaxial Velocity Sensors, were deployed for Site A, as well as 14 instrumented recording stations for Site B, to measure the ground vibration. Other GeoSIG technology aiding the project included two CR-5 central recorders, integrated into LAN, data center 1000SP permanent data recording, and GeoDAS software.

The measures were successful, and the THSR boasts trains that are among the fastest in the world.
 

Preveza Tunnel, Greece

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Background

Throughout history, the strait that separates mainland Greece from Epirus in the Ambracian Gulf was crossed only by ferry boat with frequent problems due to rough seas, lack of night routes and long waiting hours during summer. In the mid-1990s, Greece sought to remedy this problem by constructing an immersed tunnel between Preveza and Aktio -- one of the nation’s most expensive public works. The tunnel was completed in 2002.
 

Challenge

One aspect of the Preveza-Aktio immersed tunnel project was to provide a seismic tunnel monitoring system, where the tunnel equipment monitored the seismic effects of earth activity alongside the dynamic loads of natural transportation movements whether planned or by any unforeseen event. The scope included expansion or contraction surveillance due to the intensity of temperature changes impacting on the tunnel monitoring environment through whatever reason.
 

Solution

GeoSIG, through its Partner Eurotech SA, was able to provide four triaxial force balance accelerometers, 44 linear variable displacement transluder sensors, 2 meteorological sensors to measure humidity and temperature, and a data acquisition and processing center with GeoDAS software. The data is then assessed and compared to tunnel data recorded against seismic design criteria applicable to tunnel structural design and construction.

Improvements to tunnel emergency and safety measuring solutions as well as awareness also featured alongside the needs to appropriately maintain tunnel data management systems given the wider scope of measuring solutions possible within this segment owing to geographical location. A control center monitors the entire tunnel, hosting equipment responsible for the operation and monitoring of the project and various other systems responsible for the safe and proper use of the undersea tunnel.

What used to be a sometimes maddening undertaking to cross the strait has now become simplicity itself. Drivers using the undersea tunnel can cross the distance in 1 to 1.5 minutes driving a maximum speed of 60 km/h, and they are confident they can do so safely thanks to the measures undertaken by all participants in the project, including GeoSIG and its Partner Eurotech SA.

Another Solution using GeoSIG instruments and a capable Partner demonstrating that quality and reliabiilty can also be cost effective.
 

Centre Block, Canada

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Background

Located in Ottawa, the Centre Block is the main building of the Canadian Parliamentary complex on Parliament Hill. It is one of the most recognized buildings in Canada. The Centre Block is listed in the CRHP (Canadian Register of Historic Places) both as part of a National Historic Site of Canada and as a Federal Heritage Building. According to the Canadian Seismic Research Network, a significant earthquake is probably Canada’s greatest potential natural disaster. For example, the 2010 Central Canada earthquake had a magnitude of 5.0, but because of its depth, the effects were more widely felt. People in Massachusetts, Michigan and Ohio in the United States reported feeling tremors.
 

Challenge

Due to the civic and historical importance of the Centre Block, the mandate was to deliver and install a seismic vibration monitoring solution to enable National Research Council Canada -- the Government of Canada’s premier research and technology organization -- to monitor and record the seismic vibration of the Centre Block structure. 
 

Solution

Our partner, Kompass Geo-Equipment, with a wealth of experience in providing end-to-end customised solutions, successfully fulfilled the requirements of this highly prestigious project. The solution consists of one GeoSIG CR-6plus Multichannel Central Recording System and 10 highly-sensitive AC-73 triaxial force balance accelerometers, complete with GeoDAS communication and data analysis software. Due to the expert handling of the project, Kompass received a letter of commendation for their work.

The installed solution offers reliable and continuous monitoring, providing real-time data that can be recorded continuously as well as providing data based on event detection. With its enhanced capabilities, the system offers a comprehensive range of statistical data such as mean, max, min, and peak values, as well as many other useful data as may be required by the client. GeoDAS, a proven data acquisition and evaluation package developed by Geo-SIG, complements CR-6plus providing highly flexible user-friendly capabilities, and graphical, analytical and reporting tools with configurable automation.

Another Solution using GeoSIG instruments and a capable Partner effectively showing that quality and reliability can also be cost effective.
 

Paks NPP - Paks, Hungary

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Background

Located 5 km from Paks, in central Hungary, the Paks Nuclear Power Plant is the first and only operating nuclear power station in Hungary. It has four reactors that produce more than 50 percent of the electrical power generated in the country and meet more than 40 percent of the country’s electric consumption.

The Paks NPP was designed to have a 30-year lifetime, but feasibility studies had shown that with some minor repairs and replacements, it was in a very good condition to extend its lifetime. Following the Fukushima I nuclear accidents in March 2011, Hungary’s government said it would conduct a stress test on the Paks Nuclear Power Plant to assess safety, but it wouldn’t abandon plans for lifetime extension and it would also go ahead with plans for its expansion. Unit 1 was granted a license-extension to 2032 in 2012, unit 2 to 2034 in 2014, and unit 3 to 2036 in 2016.

Challenge

Solution

Our partner Radchem Co Ltd., of Hungary, provides consultancy services related to isotope production, applications and radiation technology. In accordance with the guidelines above, NPP Paks worked with Radchem to install two GMSplus 43i to monitor two Category II panoramic dry source storage irradiators. 

Another Solution using GeoSIG instruments and a capable Partner effectively showing that quality and reliability can also be cost-effective.
 

Metsovo Bridge, Greece

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Background

Metsovo Bridge is a highway bridge in the course of the east-west connection “Egnatia Odos” in the north of Greece. The 4-span, totally 540 m long prestressed concrete bridge traverses an approximately 120 m deep ravine and lies between two tunnel portals. The main span is given with 235 m. The deck is constructed to the balanced cantilever method. Both main piers are founded on shafts with diameters of 12 m and length up to 25 m.
 

Challenge

The bridge design is governed mainly by the high seismic loads in this region. It has been noted that Greece and the surrounding area is the most seismically active region of Europe. The scope of the project was monitoring the structure with respect to ground motions and other ambient dynamic activity such as dynamic loads imposed by traffic, environmental effects, etc.
 

Solution

With their impressive experience in this field, our Partner in Greece, Eurotech SA, was chosen to offer a bridge monitoring solution. For more than 25 years, Eurotech has provided large construction projects and industry in Greece with measuring instruments and specialised equipment, as well as consulting services.

The system for Metsovo Bridge is composed of two main sensor groups and the central acquisition computer. The first group measures the acceleration of the ground and vibrations of the bridge with four AC-63 triaxial force balance accelerometers, which are placed on the basement of two main pylons and in the maintenance tunnel below the deck.

The second group consists of 14 GSG-XX strain gauge sensors and four GSLVDT displacement transducers, as well as a meteorological sensor (METEOWDST) to measure wind speed and direction. The displacement transducers are located at the end of the bridge at the conjunction point between the bridge and the ground, whereas the strain gauge sensors are positioned in different points along the bridge (see figure).

All measured data are acquired at the Central Recording Unit (CR-5P), which integrates the digitiser board and an industrial PC in one platform, simply controlled through the Windows XP operating system. The measured data are managed by GeoSIG-developed seismic software GeoDAS.

Another Solution using GeoSIG instruments and a capable Partner effectively showing that quality and reliability can also be cost-effective.

Humber Bridge, England

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Background

When opened in 1981, the Humber Bridge in the UK was the largest single span bridge in the world with a total length of 2,220m. It spans the Humber estuary between Barton-upon-Humber on the south bank and Hessle on the north bank, connecting the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. The road distance in the UK between Hull and Grimsby was reduced by nearly 80km as a result of this transportation achievement. Where the UK leads, the rest of the world eventually follows; in 1998 it was surpassed by Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan, and today the Humber Bridge in the UK is further down the list of largest single span bridges. 
 

Challenge

Bridge monitoring has since moved into the 21st century with technology changes that have moved away from analogue to digital bridge monitoring solutions. Such new technologies bring with them the need re-evaluate the most suitable monitoring solutions, and in this instance re-evaluations were necessary on the modal properties of the Humber Bridge alongside the viability of using standalone recorders with provision timing (via GPS) to provide histories of response within the analysis of such an extended open space structure. The Humber Bridge as designed can tolerate constant motion and bends more than 3 m in winds of 129 km/hr (80 mph), at which point safety factors emerge; but the towers, although both vertical, are not parallel — these being under 50mm further apart at the top than at the bottom.
 

Solution

An international team comprising: Prof. JMW Brownjohn, University of Sheffield, UK; Dr. Paul Reynolds, University of Sheffield, UK; Mr. Chris Middleton, University of Sheffield, UK; Mr. Filipe Magalhaes, FEUP Porto, Portugal; Prof. Elsa Caetano, FEUP Porto, Portugal; Prof. Ivan Au, City University Hong Kong; and Prof. Paul Lam, City University Hong Kong; with support from Dr. Ivan Munoz Diaz; Prof. Aleksandar Pavic; Dr. Stana Zivanovic; Mrs. Eunice Lawton; Mrs. Tuan Norhayati Tuan Chik and Mr. Mohammad Muaz Aldimashki from Sheffield; Prof. Alvaro Cunha from FEUP; and Mr John Cooper, Mr Peter Hill and Mr Ian Allenby from Humber Bridge Board, tested the bridge during the week 14-18 July 2008 as part of an EPSRC-funded research project: EP/F035403/1, Novel Data Mining and Performance Diagnosis Systems for Structural Health Monitoring of Suspension Bridges. Monitoring done in 1985 was analogue, and the tapes were no longer readable.

The new study involved new instruments consisting of 10 GSR-24’s utilising internal or external accelerometers, all brought together from FEUP and Sheffield. The testing was divided into 28 measurements spanning five days. For example on day 2, measurements concentrated on the southern part of the bridge, in the direction of the town of Barton. Each of the box sections of the bridge, is identified by an odd number with prefix b (for Barton, south) or h (for Hessle, north). Recordings were made mainly at alternate hanger locations, in each case maintaining at least one fixed (reference) location on the main span. The set of seven measurements on day 2 used a reference pair (21h) on the Hessle side and one (49b) on the Barton side, with the remaining three pairs of recorders roving on the Barton side with 10 minutes to relocate between one-hour recordings. Measurements included one at the Barton tower (78b) including locations 77b/79b across the bearings, then moved into the Barton side span. Measurement setup 14a was a short recording to cross-check calibrations. The configuration for measurement setup 9 is shown in Figure 3. The red dots indicate the 10 recorder locations.