A new structural monitoring technology has arrived in Australia and New Zealand, which will allow businesses to measure the unique ‘heartbeat’ of any above-ground structure.
Developed by Dr Alan Jeary, STRAAM (Structural Risk Assessment and Management) is believed to be the most effective way to pinpoint structural damage and stability issues in real-time to mitigate risk and enhance safety.
The STRAAM technology can be used for a range of applications and circumstances. For instance, it provides architects and engineers with an analytically accurate starting point for engineering design. It is also beneficial for construction, real estate and building owners, insurance, building commissioning, dams and bridges, local councils, and facilities management.
The equipment works by using non-destructive and unobtrusive ground monitors to conduct a Structural-Cardiograph (SCG) to measure the vibrations that occur in response to environmental factors.
This establishes the building’s dynamic signature or ‘heartbeat’ and provides real-time reports that accurately assess the stiffness of a structure and changes in its capacity due to subsidence, ageing, earthquake damage or other activity.
STRAAM produces rapid baseline measurements in a matter of hours, and comprehensive reports, featuring three-dimensional modelling, can be accessed online.
The system can be used to take a one-off reading or remain connected to the building to monitor movement over a period of time.
STRAMM is available in Australia and New Zealand from Mainmark.
