Tall and slender structures such as towers, chimneys, wind turbines or high-rise buildings are exposed to wind loads and dynamic vibrations. Monitoring these effects is essential to ensure stability, extend the lifetime of the structure and comply with safety standards.
Why wind and vibrations are a challenge
Tall structures act like flexible beams under the effect of wind. Vibrations can cause resonance, cracks, or even collapse in extreme cases. Human comfort is also a concern: in high-rise buildings, occupants can feel sway if movements are not controlled.
Common risks without monitoring
When vibrations are not monitored, several issues may arise:
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Fatigue and structural damage remain undetected
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Excessive oscillations accelerate degradation
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Safety and legal standards may not be respected
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Maintenance becomes more costly due to late detection
Methods to monitor slender structures
Accelerometers are used to capture vibration levels in real time and identify oscillations that could lead to damage.
Inclinometers provide long-term data on tilt and slow deformations, particularly useful for vertical elements like towers or chimneys.
Data acquisition systems with remote access make it possible to track data continuously via cloud platforms. Engineers gain real-time insights without the need for frequent site visits.
Real-world applications
Monitoring is applied to wind turbine towers to control tilt, to high-rise buildings exposed to strong winds, to chimneys and pylons subject to dynamic loads, and to bridges where oscillations can threaten stability. A concrete example is the monitoring of slender structures, where advanced sensors were deployed to ensure safety and performance.
Why expert advice matters
Every slender structure has its own dynamic behavior, depending on its geometry, materials, and environment. Choosing the right monitoring strategy is not just about selecting sensors, but about designing a complete approach adapted to the project. This is why consulting with an expert such as Micromega is the most effective way to secure results. Our team combines field experience with advanced engineering services to recommend the best mix of sensors, data acquisition systems, and analysis tools.
Choosing the right monitoring system
Selecting the right system depends on several factors: required accuracy, outdoor robustness, connectivity options such as 4G/5G, and the ability to interpret data easily. Reliable solutions include Recovib Inclinometers for tilt measurement and the Recovib accelerometers for long-term structural monitoring.
Next step
Monitoring is the most effective way to protect slender structures against wind and vibrations. To explore proven solutions, contact our team for tailored advice.
