Structural Health Monitoring (SHM): A Smarter Way to Manage Assets
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an advanced asset management strategy that enables real-time, continuous monitoring of a structure’s performance. Sensors are strategically placed on critical structural components to measure responses such as strain, temperature, and acceleration. This data is continuously uploaded to a centralized server, providing engineers and clients with immediate access to actionable insights.
By capturing precise responses from key structural members, SHM offers an accurate understanding of the structure’s overall behavior. This level of precision enhances reliability in assessing a structure’s condition and identifying potential issues. Consequently, SHM supports informed decision-making, enabling the suspension or postponement of unnecessary repairs or the acceleration of critical remedial actions.
The Broader Impact of SHM
SHM’s real-time data availability further enhances asset management by continuously monitoring structural conditions. Any abrupt changes in recorded data can signal potential issues, prompting further analysis or immediate field assessment. Beyond its monitoring capabilities, SHM plays a vital role in advancing the development of new materials and technologies, providing invaluable data on their performance and effectiveness under real-world conditions.
SHM Canada is an industry leader in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) for asset management and risk management of critical infrastructure.
Advantages of Structural Health Monitoring
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) offers numerous benefits, making it an essential tool for the proactive management of critical infrastructure. By leveraging advanced technologies, SHM ensures real-time, continuous, and targeted monitoring of structural performance.
Real-Time Monitoring
SHM delivers instant access to critical data while continuously tracking structural responses to ensure reliable assessments of a structure's condition. By monitoring performance under varying conditions—such as temperature fluctuations and dynamic load demands—the system provides a comprehensive, real-time view of structural behavior. Immediate detection and signaling of changes enable timely analysis, quick decision-making, and rapid responses to potential issues, reducing risks and minimizing downtime.
Continuous Monitoring
SHM ensures uninterrupted tracking of structural performance by collecting and analyzing data over extended periods. This approach provides a detailed understanding of how a structure behaves under varying conditions, such as environmental changes, material aging, and long-term load impacts. Continuous monitoring enables the detection of gradual trends, patterns, and emerging issues that might not be immediately apparent. By maintaining a consistent flow of information, the system supports predictive maintenance, extends the lifespan of structures, and enhances safety through proactive management.
Targeted Monitoring
SHM focuses on critical structural components, providing precise insights into their behavior under stress. By closely monitoring high-risk areas, the system ensures early detection of potential issues, enabling proactive solutions. This targeted approach enhances accuracy, isolates key components for analysis, and offers a clearer understanding of overall structural performance. By reducing unnecessary interventions, it optimizes maintenance efforts and supports the long-term safety and durability of the structure.
Enhanced Safety
Continuous and targeted monitoring ensures early detection of critical issues, minimizing risks to occupants and users of the structure. By leveraging advanced technologies and predictive analytics, this approach enables timely interventions that prevent small problems from escalating into major failures. Additionally, consistent monitoring enhances the lifespan of the structure by identifying areas of concern before significant wear and tear occurs, ensuring long-term reliability and safety.
Optimized Performance
By detecting issues early and enabling predictive maintenance, SHM reduces repair costs and avoids expensive, unplanned interventions or structure replacement. By allowing timely maintenance, SHM helps extend the service life of the infrastructure. And by providing dat continuously it reduces the need for labour intensive manual inspections, saving time and resources.
Longevity and Sustainability
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) promotes longevity and sustainability by enabling proactive maintenance and reducing the need for extensive repairs or replacements. By continuously assessing structural performance, SHM helps optimize resource use, minimize environmental impact, and extend the service life of assets. This approach ensures efficient management of infrastructure while supporting sustainable development goals.
Innovative Approaches, Reliable Results
Why Choose SHM Canada?
Innovative Methods & Customized Systems
SHM Canada does not subscribe to a “one SHM system fits all” approach. Our customized systems are targeted to your priorities, so we eliminate costs associated with redundant components and algorithms.SHM Canada uses innovative methods to achieve greater cost efficiency, quality, and safety in the initial planning phases of SHM projects.
We develop customized solutions for each individual project by identifying sensors, data collection and communication methods, storage equipment, and data processing and reporting algorithms that are appropriate for the client’s monitoring objectives. We also develop targeted, cost-effective alternatives to off-the-shelf components.
Complementary Structural Engineering Expertise
Our team’s dual expertise in structural engineering and SHM means that we are able to offer comprehensive start-to-finish SHM packages that include system design, installation, data collection, analysis and interpretation, reporting, and decommissioning. This dual expertise also means that our process is streamlined, targeted, and cost effective. We understand the structures we monitor, so we’re able to design SHM systems that gather data according to your priorities. We then analyze that data in house and report directly to you.
Our team is also skilled in more conventional “analog” methods of structural investigation and assessment, which can complement your SHM package. We also have a demonstrated record of success in structural rehabilitation and design, so are able to go beyond monitoring and assessment to recommend a range of options for addressing potential problems. Alternatively, if we’re able to give your structure a clean bill of health, we can save you the expense of unnecessary repairs—and can help you to devise an asset management strategy to ensure continued structural integrity and safe operations.
Discover Our Proven Expertise
Projects Showcasing Excellence in Structural Health Monitoring
Explore our portfolio of successfully executed projects that highlight our commitment to innovation, precision, and client-focused solutions. Each project demonstrates how our expertise in Structural Health Monitoring has contributed to enhancing safety, reliability, and efficiency across diverse structures. From landmark bridges to advanced infrastructure, our work reflects the trust placed in us to safeguard critical assets.
Alexandra Bridge
Design, installation, and operation of a structural health monitoring system for a landmark heritage structure.
Fairview Cove Container Terminal
Design and installation of a structural health monitoring system to measure the effects of AAR-associated expansion in key concrete components.
Black River CSP Culvert Monitoring
Risk management through real-time structural health monitoring of a corrugated steel pipe culvert.
Hawkshaw Bridge
Structural Health Monitoring, including live load testing, of cable-stayed bridge girders.
Canso Canal Wall Study
Comprehensive structural assessment, including Structural Health Monitoring, and development of short- and long-term management strategies.
Linwood Road Overpass
Structural health monitoring and static load testing of corrugated steel arch culvert.
Monitoring of Ultra-Cor Arch
Structural Health Monitoring of innovative Atlantic Canadian design.
Radome Towers
Design and operation of structural health monitoring for national defence structures in extreme climate region.
Other Services
our footprints
Building a Legacy Across Canada
Explore our footprint in revolutionizing infrastructure across Canada. From bridges to marine structures, SHM Canada has successfully completed projects that highlight our innovation and commitment to excellence in structural health monitoring.