A High-Precision Distributed Microdisplacement Monitoring System: System Design and Data Processing Algorithms

For large-scale constructions, microdisplacement may accumulate over time and it is possible that the large-scale constructions have disastrous consequences such as deformation, cracking, or collapse, resulting in irreparable losses. In order to avoid the occurrence of tragedy, it is crucial to monitor the microdisplacement of constructions timely and accurately, apart from the operation and maintenance of large-scale structures. There are several challenges to fully automatic monitoring of microdisplacements of large-scale structures, including the lack of reference points due to structural complexity, various environmental disturbances, and the tradeoff between low cost and high precision. In this article, a measurement device with low cost, high accuracy, and wide applicability is designed to provide real-time monitoring of the microdisplacement of large-scale structures. A comprehensive system is designed and a data processing algorithm based on data reconciliation is proposed to effectively alleviate the influence of measurement errors. This system is successfully applied to pier settlement detection for high-speed railways, which achieves the desired accuracy. The system we developed can be directly applied to many situations of microdisplacement monitoring of large buildings, with high accuracy and low cost.