Structural monitoring guide
Structural Vibration Monitoring
Acceleration and dynamic response as indicators of loads, stiffness and changing behaviour.
Structural note: monitoring data is evidence, not a declaration of safety. Applicable codes, inspections and qualified structural engineering remain necessary for consequential decisions.
What this topic covers
Acceleration and dynamic response as indicators of loads, stiffness and changing behaviour.
Core monitoring ideas
Accelerometers record structural motion over time.
Dynamic response depends on mass, stiffness, damping and excitation.
Changing vibration features can indicate altered behaviour but are not automatic proof of damage.
Interpretation limits
Sensor placement should follow the structural question rather than a generic grid spacing.
Evidence and data quality
Calibration, mounting and sensor health are part of the measurement system and must be tracked.
Lifecycle use
Combining complementary sensor types can reduce ambiguity when one measurement alone cannot explain a change.