Framework For Integration and Visualization of Structural State Data

The Framework for Integration and Visualization of Structural State Data project aims to conceptualize, develop and implement a framework for gathering, classifying, and integrating data collected from a structure to enable effective visualization and interpretation of the structure's in-service state.

Today, a variety of sensors are available to collect data relevant to the state of a structure after an earthquake. Such sensors may be conventional sensors connected to the data acquisition using wires, or innovative miniature wireless sensors connected using wireless communication technologies. The numerical data collected by even a moderate number of such sensors during a typical earthquake can be overwhelming [1], making seismic risk assessment and mitigation a difficult and time-consuming task that can be accomplished only by highly-trained engineers.

Seismic risk assessment and mitigation can be improved if fast and efficient access to structural state data is possible. Access to data describing the state of a structure before and after an earthquake provides valuable information for assessment. Even though the technology to do so is becoming widely available, the lack of user-friendly interfaces for instruments and monitoring systems slow their practical implementation [2]. This indicates a need for the development of a structural state data framework that is also coupled with a friendly interface.

To this end, a framework for integration and visualization of structural state data was developed in this project to facilitate access to state data. This framework includes a structural state database and a web browser based user interface tool. The structure state database provides a method for organized storage of diverse data collected about the structure in one place using a common format. The interface tool enables efficient retrieval and visualization of the data relevant for assessing and mitigating the seismic risk to the instrumented structure. The database and the interface tool together can let the building owner observe and monitor the state of the structure, making quick seismic risk assessment possible. Furthermore, ability to access the collected data and apply more sophisticated assessment and evaluation tools will enable Kajima engineers to inform the building owner about possible measures to improve the structure and demonstrate the effect of such measures on mitigating the seismic risk.