Measurements of Dynamic Deformations of Building Structures by Applying Wire Sensors

Measurements of deformations by means of vibrating wire sensors are very important in the monitoring of building structures. These types of sensors are characterized by a high resistance to environmental conditions, long time of measurement stability, and a possibility to use long electric cables with a solid encasement in concrete. Vibrating wire sensors are mainly used for measuring stable or slowly changing deformations, however applications of these sensors for measuring time-variable deformations are becoming popular. New solutions generate new problems, which in case of vibrating wire sensors are mainly related to the operational stability of the systems exciting wire vibrations. The structure of such sensors and the length of the electric cables, which can reach a few kilometers, have an essential influence on their operations. This paper undertakes the task of determining the influence of the electric cables length on the proper operation of the measurement system and provides advice for improvements of its measurement possibilities. The subject of investigation constitutes a measurement system based on a self-exciting impulse exciter, for which the impedance of the electric cables and of the vibrating wire sensor are the most essential parameters. A mathematical model of this system, experimental verification of the model, and the results of theoretical analyses and measurement tests for electric cables of various lengths are presented in this paper.