Construction Monitoring and Observation

Code:

EC0047

Acronym:

IOOB

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Materials

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Construction Materials Division
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEC	7	Syllabus since 2006/2007	5	-	5	52,5	133

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

-The main objectives are:
To provide basic knowledge regarding the use of testing equipments for the observation of the behaviour of materials and structures along different phases of their life time (construction, reception, service, rehabilitation or strengthening), submitted to static or dynamic loads;
- To present non-destructive techniques used in structural diagnosis and evaluation of structural safety;
- To refer System Identification techniques used to estimate dynamic properties of large scale structures and develop finite element updating and validation;
- To characterise objectives, techniques and procedures for Long-term Structural Monitoring (monitoring of loads, static monitoring, dynamic monitoring and monitoring of durability);
- To illustrate the importance and usefulness of Testing and Structural Monitoring by presenting a large variety of case studies, involving inspection, performance of static and dynamic tests and long-term monitoring.

Learning outcomes and competences

  

Working method

Presencial

Program

Introduction. Historical evolution of this field in the context of Civil Engineering.
Metrology. Measurement methods. Quality of Data – Uncertainty and errors.
Instrumentation and Data systems: transducers and sensors. Accuracy, resolution and range. Signal conditioning and data transmision.
Displacement transducers: Dial gages, LVDt and potenciometers.
Strain-Measurement Methods. Types of Strain-Gages: mechanical, electrical and accustical (vibrating wire).
Electrical-resistance strain-gages: strain sensitivity; gage construction, adhesives and mounting methods; gage sensitivities and gage factor; enviromental effects.
Weatstone bridge circuit. Effect of lead wires. Load cells.
Temperature sensing devices:thermocouples, thermitors and RTDs.
Structural observation and monitoring.
Materials characterization tests. Load tests.
Non-destructive testing for diagnosis and structural evaluation. Ultrasonic testing. Resistivity measurement. Electromagnetic methods of testing. Case studies and applications.

Instrumentation and monitoring of geotechnical works.
Some particularities of the instrumentation and monitoring of geotechnical works. Geotechnical instrumentation: field measurements and monitoring of works.
Apparatus and measurement methods of: superficial displacements; internal displacements; total pressures measurement; pore water pressures.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE SYLLABUS COHERENCE WITH THE CURRICULAR UNIT'S OBJECTIVES:
Construction Observation is becoming more recognized as essential for the evaluation of their behavior and its structural safety. The awareness of the economic and social effects due to aging, deterioration and damage of structures, associated with recent technological developments in the area of instrumentation leads to a growing development and implementation of monitoring systems for frequent or continuous observation to increase the lifetime of the structures or set repair strategies.

Mandatory literature

.; .

Teaching methods and learning activities

The lessons are of the theoretician-practical type (3.5h of lesson per week), for exemplification of the teaching subjects and for the accomplishment of experimental assays. Practical works in laboratory.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE COHERENCE BETWEEN THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES: Application of various test and instrumentation systems for the characterization of new materials and the observation of structural integrity, identifying and comparing their suitability in relation to the required objectives. Analyze and criticize inspection projects. To relate the results obtained by different sampling techniques. Proposing of new methodologies and systems for evaluating the structural integrity and lifetime increase. To criticize the methodologies used and to anticipate strategies of assessment and diagnosis. Dealing with real situations monitoring and evaluation of associated critical information. Explore and develop new tools for structural evaluation. Contact and participate in real cases of observation/diagnosis.

keywords

Technological sciences > Technology > Instrumentation technology
Technological sciences > Engineering > Civil engineering > Structural engineering

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Teste	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	56,00
Total:	56,00

Eligibility for exams

Achieving final classification requires compliance with attendance at the course unit, according to the MIEC assessment rules. It is considered that students meet the attendance requirements if, having been regularly enrolled, the number of absences of 25% for each of the classes’ types is not exceeded.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification is quantified considering two components: distributed evaluation (three short-duration tests) and final exam. The distributed evaluation is optional. The classification of any component is expressed in a scale of 0 to 20.

The final classification, CF, is quantified by employing the following formula:

CF = max {CT ; EF}

where,

CT = PA / 4 x ( CAD1 + CAD2 + CAD3 + CAD4) + PF x EF

CAD1 – classification of the short-duration test number 1, to be done during one practical class;
CAD2 – classification of the short-duration test number 2, to be done during one practical class;
CAD3 – classification of the short-duration test number 3, to be done during one practical class;
CAD4 – classification of the short-duration test number 4, to be done during one practical class
EF – classification of the final exam.

The weights are:

PA = 25%
PF = 75%

NOTE 1: The tests CAD1 to CAD4 are optional. If the student does not do one particular test, the corresponding weight is added to PF.

NOTE 2: All the students enrolled in the course unit are evaluated according to this method.

NOTE 3: The distributed evaluation obtained in previous occurrences of this course unit (by students which were enrolled in this course unit in the previous occurrence) is not valid in the current occurrence.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The final classification for students which require special exams (according to the rules included in the FEUP code) is established based on a single exam.

Classification improvement

Classification improvement, for students which are properly registered for classification improvement in the FEUP desk, is based on a single exam. The final classification is equal to the greatest of the classification obtained in such exam and the previously reached positive classification.

Observations

Estimated working time out of classes: 4 hours