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Structural Monitoring

GNSS for Structural & Deformation Monitoring

Sub-centimeter 24/7 GNSS monitoring for bridges, dams, high-rise buildings, slopes, and tunnels — millimeter-level relative displacement detection with real-time alert capability.

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<1 mm
Relative Displacement
24/7
Continuous Monitoring
AIM+
Anti-Jamming
APME+
Multipath Mitigation
Overview

Millimeter-Sensitive GNSS for Critical Structure Safety

Structural health monitoring requires detecting movements invisible to the naked eye — millimeter-level settlements, sub-centimeter seasonal deformations, and displacement trends that can compromise structural integrity. GNSS monitoring networks provide continuous, high-accuracy data that manual inspection cannot match.

Eview GNSS monitoring receivers deliver sub-centimeter absolute positioning and sub-millimeter relative displacement detection with 24/7 continuous operation. Septentrio APME+ multipath mitigation is critical near buildings and canyon walls, where reflected signals are the primary accuracy limiter.

GNSS structural deformation monitoring for bridges dams and buildings
Key Capabilities
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Sub-mm relative displacement sensitivity
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24/7 continuous monitoring with data logging
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APME+ multipath mitigation for near-structure accuracy
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AIM+ anti-jamming for urban monitoring sites
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Low-power operation for solar/battery-powered remote sites
Applications

Structural Monitoring Use Cases

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Bridge Monitoring
Real-time GNSS monitoring of bridge deck displacement, tower sway, and cable stay deformation. Immediate alert when movement exceeds safety thresholds.
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Dam & Embankment Monitoring
Sub-centimeter 24/7 monitoring of dam face displacement, crest movement, and abutment settlement — critical for dam safety programs and regulatory compliance.
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High-Rise & Tall Building
Multi-point GNSS monitoring of tall building settlement, differential movement, and construction-induced impact on neighboring structures.
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Slope & Landslide Monitoring
Early-warning GNSS networks for natural slopes and open-pit mine walls. Millimeter displacement detection enables evacuation decisions before structural failure.
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Historic & Heritage Structures
Non-invasive GNSS monitoring of heritage buildings and archaeological sites — detecting seasonal thermal expansion and long-term foundation movement.
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Underground & Tunnel Monitoring
Surface GNSS monitoring of ground settlement above tunnel excavations and underground construction — protecting above-ground structures during subsurface works.
FAQ

Structural Monitoring GNSS — Frequently Asked Questions

What accuracy does GNSS structural monitoring achieve?
In a network configuration, GNSS structural monitoring achieves 1–3 mm relative horizontal accuracy and 3–5 mm vertical accuracy in a 24-hour processed solution. For real-time alarm applications, hourly solutions detect 5–10 mm horizontal displacements. Eview receivers with APME+ multipath mitigation perform at the upper end of this range near complex structures.
What is multipath and why does it affect structural monitoring near buildings?
Multipath occurs when GNSS signals reflect off nearby surfaces and arrive via indirect paths — introducing timing errors. In structural monitoring, sensors are mounted on structures surrounded by reflective surfaces. APME+ identifies and removes multipath-contaminated measurements, preserving accuracy in precisely the environments where structural monitoring takes place.
Can GNSS monitoring detect slow long-term settlement trends?
Yes. Continuous GNSS observations over months and years, with robust time-series analysis, can reliably detect slow deformation trends of 1–2 mm/month above the noise floor — well within the sensitivity required for dam settlement monitoring, building foundation movement, and slope creep detection.
How many GNSS sensors are needed for a structural monitoring network?
A minimum viable network includes one reference receiver on stable ground plus one or more monitoring receivers on the structure. For large structures like bridges or dams, networks of 5–20 monitoring points are typical. Eview HB6 and HB9 receivers support both single-station and multi-station network deployments.

Protect Your Critical Infrastructure

Our GNSS monitoring specialists will design the right sensor network for your structural health monitoring project.

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