Advances in Environmental Development, Geomatics Engineering and Tourism

Evaluation of Structure Deformation Using Geodetic Methods

SORIN HERBAN, CARMEN GRECEA,
GEORGIANA RUSU, ADRIAN ALIONESCU
Overland Communication Ways, Foundations and Cadastral Survey
Politehnica University of Timisoara,
300223 Timisoara, Traian Lalescu, no. 2
ROMANIA
adrian.alionescu@upt.ro www.upt.ro

Abstract: - The development of measuring techniques and technologies has permitted the possibility to observe
and emphasize the behaviour of the buildings and the way these modify their position in time under their own
weight and under the influence of external dynamic factors. It is known that long term movements of structures
and constructions can be monitored using geodetic instruments [1]. Measurements can be performed during a
period of time, which can be minutes, hours, weeks, months or years to a number of targets in order to measure
settlement, displacement or long term permanent or specific deformation, depending on the size and direction
of displacement. At Politehnica University of Timisoara, one of the Land Measurements and Cadastre
collective’s research area is concentrated on the dynamic deformation of structures. Monitoring equipment
includes precise and modern instruments like precise levels, total stations, GPS. The aim of this paper is a study
regarding high precision geodetic measurements and the results for an industrial building situated in Timis
County. The analysis of vertical displacements and deformations is essential for the study of constructions
behaviour. In practice, these values are obtained by measuring of control points positioned on buildings. A
series of cyclic measurements are conducted in order to determine the elevation of control points with respect
to several fixed points of the local reference network [2].

Key words: displacement, movement, monitoring, dynamic deformations, high precision leveling,
deflection.

1 Introduction possibilities to determine the movements and the

There are loads of classification criteria’s methods
of research and observation of constructions and
structures. Analyzing the in-situ behaviour of
buildings, the data which describe the vertical and
horizontal deformations and displacements are
essential. Following a mathematical convention,
settlements are assigned negative values, while
uplifts have positive values [2].
Depending on the field of measurement and the
precision that aims to be reached by the
observations, modern measurement techniques in
the field of engineering geodesy have seen an
unprecedented development and a higher degree of
automation together with the development through
known technological aspect in the past two decades
[3].
Taking this into consideration, there have been
developed criteria’s made by types of deformations,
types of equipments and the position of the
equipments during the observations.
By the place where equipments are located
during the observation process, there are two
deformations:
• Physical methods: with the equipment located
inside the building; in this case the equipments
move at the same time with the building, so relative
movements and deformations can be evaluated.
• Geometric methods: in this case, the equipments
are placed outside the building or outside its
influential area, the measurements will be linked to
a network of fixed points situated outside the
deformation area, protected against the instability
factors that can affect the building and the
foundation ground that it is situated on.
Through this process absolute values of the
horizontal or vertical movement will be established.
The topographic-geodetic methods belong to this
category of determinations of movements and
deformations [4].
Monitoring the dynamic behaviour of large
structures has been always a topic of great
relevance, due to the impact that these structures on
the landscape where they were built [5].

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Many instruments and surveying methods have
been used in order to support the control of these
structures. However, the main aim in most of the
developed plans has been to ensure the possibility of
measuring displacements in a singular number of
points. The difficulty in the measurement of these
displacements is to find a spatial measurement
technique that responds to numerous properties,
such as precision, reliability, low cost and easiness
to use.
Some of these requirements may be
accomplished using several methods, but it is really
hard to find a method to meet all of them. In the
next paragraphs some of the approaches developed
in this context are reported (starting with the
classical techniques and finishing with the new
technologies).
2 Multicriteria approach to
determining building deformations
Over the years specialists in measurements
developed techniques and technologies in order to
estimate correct, accurate and precise structure
movements. These techniques are presented as
follows:
• Classical topographic methods based on
angles, distances and height variation measurements
are very popular in the quantitative surveying field.
The equipment used consists of accurate and
appropriate levels, theodolites or total stations.
When the point that has to be determined is
inaccessible, indirect methods are used, for
example: precise leveling traversing, single or
multiple intersections, etc.
Furthermore, contact sensors can complete these
measurements, such as: an inclinometer, a
pendulum, dial gauges or extensometers. However,
this contact nature prevents them from use at the
final stages of destructive load testing and they can
only acquire observations in one dimension.
• The Global Positioning System (GPS) has
been used in structural monitoring of large
structures with considerable range of displacements,
as well as combined with other sensors. In spite of
this, GPS has two significant limitations. Firstly, as
signals are received from satellites, coordinates
cannot be measured indoors or through above
obstacles. The second limitation is that the current
precision of GPS technology is limited to +/- 1cm
horizontally and +/- 2cm vertically.
• Digital close-range photogrammetry has been
used as an alternative and it provides high accuracy.
It also offers a quick, remote, three-dimensional
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data acquisition with images that provide a
permanent visual recording of the test, but the
compulsory use of targets might be disadvantageous
in some circumstances, especially when the access
to the object is risky or when it is inaccessible to
operators. Due to the lack of scale definition in the
photogrammetric process, measurements must be
taken by using additional instrumentation.
• Terrestrial Laser Scanning has become a new
alternative to the monitoring of structures
incorporating novelty approaches and computer
methods. Although the approaches noted above
present an accurate modeling strategy and have
demonstrated their reliability for structural
monitoring, none of them has been tested yet over
complex structures such as large bridges and high
constructions. The reported analysis focuses on two
main problems: the first one is the accuracy and the
stability of georeferencing, which is fundamental to
make comparisons between different multi-temporal
scans; the second one is the computation of
deformation based on the acquired point-clouds.
Particularly, a comparison is performed using
different surfaces types, such as: resample point
cloud, mesh and polynomial surface [6].
Determination of the movements and
irregularities of an object in the primary analysis
requires a close relation to time and space. Current
development of constructions imposes the need to
monitor changes and possible displacements. In this
context, the behaviour of large structures such as
bridges, dams, towers, buildings with a high pitch,
has become critical to analyze, not only in terms of
phenomenology, but also as a result of processing
and the inclusion of cases in these models of
analysis.
The geometric leveling traversing that was used
for this case study is achieved in compliance with
the requirements of the technical standard imposed
by the national geometric leveling of the order 0, I
or II. The geometric leveling system consists of
polygons which incorporate the fixed points
(benchmarks) of the reference network, the control
points and the intermediate points. At the same time,
the station mid-points for geometric leveling are set
out in such a way that their position remains
unchanged for each measurement cycle. The
selection of the topographic instruments and of the
geometrical leveling methods is made in order to
ensure the accuracy required by each specific
construction. Depending on the size and importance
of the construction, a compensation of the leveling
and/or networks is performed using rigorous or
semi-rigorous methods combined with the method
of the least squares [2].
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Phenomenon Phenomenon Characteristics Evaluation

During type methods
Oscillation from Continuous
0.01 s own machines measurement
OSCILLATIONS
1s Oscillation from Continuous measurement
own construction and specific geodethic
methods
10 s SHORT Strains under the
TIME demands dynamic short Geodethic methods,
24 h MOTIONS fotogrametric methods,
Strains under the satellite methods
demands dynamic long
10 yars Geodethic methods,
LONG Tectonic movements fotogrametric methods,
TIME Movements of the earth's satellite methods
MOTIONS crust
100 years

Fig.1 Schematic representation of deformations and the methods used to determine movements [6]

During the determination of a deformation, we measurements in an automated measuring process

will always find a cause that through a transmitting
function will lead to the effect. The transmitting
function is expressed through mathematical
relations, being part of the statistics category.
We cannot be sure which are the causes that led
to certain phenomena, as well as the dimensions and
the direction of the deformations. We can only find
a relation with a certain probability. The effect is
always the deformation, defined as a spatial
modification [1].
The role of geodetic tracking networks is to
observe and determine whether or not movements or
deformations occurred at a certain building [4].
Usually, there is an initial information regarding
the movements of interest or movements critical to
an object. The precision and integrity of the
apriorical knowledge on the behaviour of the
building are differentiated, but the basic parameters
for a deformation model that must be taken into
consideration are:
• representative points;
• the delimitation of the information domain;
• the evolution in time of the movements;
• the direction of the studied movements.
3 Problem Solution, high precision
leveling traversing
Digital levels have become standard for leveling
because they confer high accuracy and fast
[7]. A shortcoming is that they give less accurate
measurements under some circumstances which are
not always obvious.
The activity of monitoring the in situ behaviour
of constructions, which implies a corresponding
endowment with specialized equipment and
software, is regulated in Romania by Law No. 10 /
1995, regarding quality in constructions, amended
by Law No. 123 / 2007, which specifies that
„tracking the behaviour of constructions in
operation is made throughout their living duration".
It is also regulated by the P 130-1999 Norm
regarding behaviour in time of constructions and
GE-032-97 Norm regarding execution of
maintenance and repairs to buildings and special
constructions [8].
The geometrical leveling measurements are
performed using high accuracy levels equipped with
optical micrometers and with the aid of high
precision (invar) measuring rods [2].
The use of electronic and digital levels provides
a standard deviation of 1 mm for a level difference
of double km leveling lines, respectively 0.3 - 0.4
mm, using invar rods (bar code) [9].
Of the several methods used to determine the level
differences in the field, the authors chose the most
widely accepted one, in which level differences are
measured with one level and readings performed on
both scales of the invar rod use two different
horizons of the instrument. This procedure is
strongly related to the need to ensure the proper

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accuracy required to measure the level differences

in the field [2].
The study revealed in this paper work refers to
an industrial construction situated in Timis County.
The hall that was the subject of monitoring was
technically expertised by an expert in civil
engineering, because cracks and degradation could
be observed on the upper part of some of the beams
supporting the roof, which could have a profound
character that could affect the safety in exploitation
of the construction.

Fig.3 Materialization of leveling benchmarks on the

construction beams

The geometrical leveling was achieved with the

LEICA DNA03 automatic electronic level and with
an invar kit, having an accuracy of 0.3 mm/km,
working radius between 1.8 meters and 110 meters
and a minimum focusing distance of 0.6 meters.
Leveling instruments used were technically checked
before the execution of the measurements and found
that they are in good condition.

Fig.4 Digital levels and invar road

The processing of the measurements was

Fig.2 The degradation of the beams performed using the software solution which is part
of the package that also contains equipment used in
The technical expert indicated the need to the acquisition of observations on the field.
achieve some deflection determinations of the Compensation of field measurements was carried
beams, both at rest and in charged dynamic out with Leica Geo Office Combined software.
condition, simulating the weight of snow during
winther.
The method used for determining vertical
displacements and deformations was the precise
geometric leveling method. It is the technique that
provides the highest accuracy in measuring vertical
displacements of the constructions.
Finding that not all roof beams were affected by
degradations, it was decided the placement of
leveling benchmarks, both on the beams affected by
degradations and on several beams showing no
visible cracks, as seen in the next picture:
Fig.5 Leveling data processing

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Topographic measurements for determining the
vertical variation of an element of a structure is
always achieved in the form of observation cycles.
For the study and the determination of
displacement of the observation marks, two cycles
of topographic measurements were performed.
The first cycle of measurements is considered the
initial measurement, consisting of measurements of
the leveling control benchmarks placed on the
construction beams in condition of repose, without
any loading.
The second cycle of measurements was
performed on leveling benchmarks after loading the
beams of the building with a weight equal to the
maximum load that can occur during winter due to
the snow. The simulation was carried out using
people placed uniformly along the construction
beam.
Fig.6 Leveling in condition of load
Thus, the deflection of the deformation was
determined as the difference between the vertical
position of the control points, both in condition of
repose and under tension or load.
The processing and analyzing of the observations
collected during the two cycles were performed for
determining the deflection of the deformation of
each construction beam which had benchmarks
mounted on.
Fig.7 Construction beams under observation
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The values of the deflection differ from a beam
to another, but it is not directly related to the
degradation found at the surface of the beams.
Were monitored a total amount of twenty-four
beams that had deformation deflection values
between 0.5 mm and 1.4 mm. These values enclosed
the tolerances, complying with the standards and
regulations in force in Romania.
The measurement result represents the estimated
value for the real value of its size determined from
the measured values [10].
Fig.8 Example of graphic representation of
construction beam deflection
4 Conclusion
The difficulty in the measurement of building
displacements is to find a spatial measurement
technique that meet the requirements, such as,
precision, reliability, low cost and user friendly.
Some of these advantages can be obtained by using
topographic-geodetic methods, but main challenge
is to find one to satisfy all the conditions.
The geodesist’s role is very important as he has
the responsibility to choose the most convenient
technologies and techniques in order to meet de
requirements in a situation given and, just as
important, to ensure the proper application.
The case study presented in this paper is a good
example of the importance of the collaboration
between experts from different domains in order to
provide complete reports and safe solutions.
Using equipments that are composed of both
precision measuring instruments and specialized
processing software lead to results that provide a
high degree of confidence.
Even if only some of the beams were affected by
the phenomenon of degradation, additional
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 Advances in Environmental Development, Geomatics Engineering and Tourism
measurements were carried out on the beams that
didn’t present signs of degradations. This made it
possible to achieve a comprehensive and conclusive
study of the situation.
By comparing the values obtained in the
determination of the deflections, it was concluded
that there was no significant difference between the
deformations that occurred in the construction
beams where could be observed degradations and
the ones occurring in the beams unaffected by
degradations.
From the values obtained in the two cycles of
measurements, it can be concluded that the variation
of displacements is within the tolerances admitted
by the Romanian legislation for this category of
buildings, ensuring the safety in exploitation.
The conclusion was that the degradation does not
have a depth character and does not influence the
behaviour of the roof structure when loaded with a
weight that exceeds the values reached during the
cold season snow.
However, the degradations have to be fixed, in
order to exclude the possibility to increase and to
influence the behaviour of the whole ensemble of
beams from the roof structure.
5 Acknowledgement
This work was partially supported by the
strategic grant POSDRU/159/1.5/S/137070 (2014)
of the Ministry of National Education, Romania, co-
financed by the European Social Fund – Investing in
People, within the Sectoral Operational Programme
Human Resources Development 2007-2013.
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