SOLUTIONS
The monitoring solutions of the SmartOPS include anemometers, strain gauges and accelerometers. These sensors can be used either isolated or together in a centralized system. The option for the number and type of sensors can be adjusted to the characteristics of the Movable Scaffolding System (MSS) and the purpose of the monitoring. In the solutions with several sensors, these can be connected by cables or connected via Wi-Fi or RF to avoid the cables. The remote access to the data is done though a router installed in the MSS. Regarding the electric supply, it can be directly by the MSS electric circuit, by rechargeable batteries or a mix of them: the MSS electric circuit charges batteries that maintain the monitoring system working whenever the MSS electric circuit is inactive.
Anemometers
A customized acquisition system is used together with commercial sonic anemometers (right image). However, with small adaptations, the SmartOPS acquisition system (left image) can be used with other types of anemometers.
Wind measurements are important to limit the MSS operation in the presence of strong winds and to tune the design procedures for wind load analysis.
Strain Gauges
Typical electric resistance strain gauges (right images) can be connect to a customized acquisition module (left image) that can receive up to 4 channels of strain and 4 channels of digital temperature sensors (used to minimize the temperature effects on the strain gauges).
Strain Gauges measurement are relevant to evaluate stress in critical sections, validation of adequate operation and optimization of design.
Accelerometers
The adopted accelerometers are based in triaxial sensors with local digitalization of the acceleration data. Each module is independent. Each triaxial accelerometer is installed in a small box that can be fixed to the MSS with magnets.
Acceleration measurements permit the control of the MSS vibrations and the continuous tracking of the MSS modal parameters, which allow the detection of eventual structural anomalies and the determination of the best moment for deck pre-stress.
