Pier health monitoring under waves, vessels and weather

Piers and waterfront structures carry loads from waves, vessel traffic, vehicles and weather. Monitoring records how the structure and its foundation respond to these loads over time.

• Dynamic response: vibration and dynamic forces from waves, ship traffic and seismic events.
• Tilt and settling: inclination of the pier caused by soil movement or water erosion.
• Structural strain: deformation in beams, columns and supporting walls.
• Foundation conditions: pore-water pressure behind pier walls and in surrounding soil.
• Cracks: crack size and movement over time.
• Weather: wind speed, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure.

Weather data recorded alongside structural readings helps engineers review how environmental conditions relate to structural response.

• Accelerometers: vibration and dynamic forces from waves, vessels and seismic events.
• Tiltmeters: tilting or settling of the pier structure.
• Strain gauges: strain in beams, columns and supporting walls.
• Piezometers: pore-water pressure behind pier walls and in surrounding soil.
• Crack meters: crack size and movement over time.
• Weather station: wind, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure.