Monitoring of a SFRC retaining structure during placement

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper deals with a solution for monitoring rigid 3-D displacements and deformations of 4 steel fibre RC innovative retaining structures designed for stabilizing unstable slopes. In particular, here the complete monitoring system is described, whilst results achieved during the placement of every structure are given. It includes the periodic use of a robotic total station to perform geodetic measurements during both placement and service stages, with different acquisition rates. The application of standard techniques of Engineering Geodesy resulted in over-estimating the precision of measurements, then an improved method to carry out this task was defined and applied. The monitoring system is completed by local strain sensors (load cells, vibrating wires and fibre optic sensors) which were tested in order to define a suitable configuration for assessing deformations. The obtained results showed that fibre optic sensors are much less influenced by temperature change with respect to vibrating wires.