Foundation Monitoring via Embedding Stiffness Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foundation monitoring techniques are inadequate for early detection of scour and other destabilizing phenomena, as they rely on surface or submerged sensors that can be damaged or fail in adverse conditions, and do not account for changes in foundation stiffness, leading to potential sudden collapse without prior warning.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using sensors placed on the structure to acquire measurements and calculate state indicators of embedding stiffness, comparing these values to thresholds to monitor the foundation's condition, allowing for early detection of changes and adaptation to various destabilizing phenomena, including scour, soil decompression, and sediment accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surface or submerged sensors are used to detect ground level changes, then scour detection is possible, but the sensors can be damaged or destroyed in adverse conditions such as floods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the structure itself as an intermediary carrier for the sensors. Instead of placing sensors directly in the vulnerable environment (water/ground), the sensors are mounted on the structure which protects them while still allowing them to detect changes in foundation stiffness through measurements of structure response
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of ground level (using submerged sensors) with indirect mechanical measurement of foundation stiffness (using structure-mounted sensors that measure structural response). This substitution allows detection of scour effects without exposing sensors to the harmful environment
2Loss of time
If sensors are placed on the structure to measure foundation stiffness, then early detection of foundation instability is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the structural elements serve multiple functions: they both support the structure and carry the sensors for monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate monitoring infrastructure and simplifies the overall system while enabling early detection of foundation instability
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional scour detection methods are used, then ground level changes can be detected, but other destabilizing phenomena such as soil decompression and sediment accumulation cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the monitored parameter from ground level elevation to foundation stiffness characteristics. This parameter change allows detection of multiple types of destabilizing phenomena (scour, soil decompression, sediment accumulation) that all affect foundation stiffness, providing comprehensive monitoring without losing information about different failure modes
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the state of a foundation supporting a building (1) and embedded in the ground, consisting of: using a plurality of sensors (4, 5) arranged on the building to acquire a set of measurements (mi1, mi2) relating to the foundation and/or to the building according to a predetermined acquisition mode; calculating, from said set of measurements, a set of condition indicators (ij1,ij2) characteristic of an embedding rigidity of the foundation; and making a comparison between a set of values derived from the set of calculated condition indicators and a set of thresholds.