A new discharge computational model is proposed on the basis of the integration of the velocity profile across the flow cross-section in an internally corrugated pipe flowing partially full. The model takes into account the velocity profiles in the pressurised pipe to predict the flow rate under free-surface flow conditions. The model was evaluated through new laboratory experiments as well as a literature datasets. The results show that flow depth and pipe slope may affect the model accuracy; nevertheless, a prediction error smaller than 20% is expected from the model. Experimental results reveal the influence of the pipe slope and flow depth on the friction factor and the stage-discharge curves: the friction factor may increase with pipe slope, while it reduces as flow depth increases. Hence, a notable change of pipe slope may lead to the variation of the stage-discharge curve. A part of this study deals with numerical simulation of the velocity profiles and the stage-discharge curves. Using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, numerical solutions were obtained to simulate four experimental tests, obtaining enough accurate results as to velocity profiles and water depths. The results of the simulated flow velocity were used to estimate the flow discharge, confirming the potential of numerical techniques for the prediction of stage-discharge curves.

This article presents a methodology for the monitoring of tall structures based on the joint use of a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), configured in line scanner mode, and a ground-based real aperture radar (GB-RAR) interferometer. The methodology provides both natural frequencies and oscillation amplitudes of tall structures. Acquisitions of the surface of the tall structure are performed by the TLS with a high sampling rate: each line scan provides an instantaneous longitudinal section. By interpolating the points of each line, oscillation profiles are estimated with a much better precision than each single point. The amplitude and frequency of the main oscillation mode of the whole structure are derived from the TLS profiles. GB-RAR measurements are used to measure the vibration frequencies of higher oscillation modes which are not caught by the TLS due its lower precision in the measurement of displacements. In contrast, the high spatial resolution of TLS measurements provides an accurate description of oscillation amplitude along the tower, which cannot be caught by the GB-RAR, due to its poorer spatial resolution. TLS and GB-RAR acquisitions are simultaneous. The comparison with the analytical solution for oscillation modes demonstrates that the proposed methodology can provide useful information for structural health monitoring (SHM). The methodology does not require the use of targets on the structure and it can be applied during its normal use, even in presence of dynamic loads (wind, traffic vibrations, etc.). A test was carried out on a wind tower where the synergistic use of TLS and GB-RAR made it possible to fully describe the spectral properties of the tower and at the same time measure the amplitude of the first oscillation mode along the tower with a high spatial resolution.

For the monitoring of large landslides, total stations equipped with an Electronic Distance Meter (EDM) are widely used. To obtain the atmospheric parameters, required along the line of sight of every measure, the data collected by a weather station close to the instrument are usually adopted. Even after these corrections, the results obtained in the monitoring of areas with complex topography don’t reach the accuracies theoretically attainable by the high-end instruments. The article proposes a method for removing the errors due to the influence of microclimate on the measurements obtained by a high-end EDM, in order to get the maximum accuracy obtainable from such instruments. The method is based on an atmospheric model, set up by using the climatic data and a digital terrain model (DTM) of the landslide area. The methodology has been applied to a landslide in southern Italy. Over 38,000 distances, acquired for each monitored point, were used. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method: the standard deviations of the distances after their correction, show a reduction, ranging from 20% to 50%, with respect to the most diffused procedures; furthermore, the obtained accuracy equals the one declared by the manufacturer of the instrument for measurements in optimal conditions.

Deck inclination and vertical displacements are among the most important technical parameters to evaluate the health status of a bridge and to verify its bearing capacity. Several methods, both conventional and innovative, are used for structural rotations and displacement monitoring; however, none of these allow, at the same time, precision, automation, static and dynamic monitoring without using high cost instrumentation. The proposed system uses a common laser pointer and image processing. The elastic line inclination is measured by analyzing the single frames of an HD video of the laser beam imprint projected on a flat target. For the image processing, a code was developed in Matlab^® that provides instantaneous rotation and displacement of a bridge, charged by a mobile load. An important feature is the synchronization of the load positioning, obtained by a GNSS receiver or by a video. After the calibration procedures, a test was carried out during the movements of a heavy truck maneuvering on a bridge. Data acquisition synchronization allowed us to relate the position of the truck on the deck to inclination and displacements. The inclination of the elastic line at the support was obtained with a precision of 0.01 mrad. The results demonstrate the suitability of the method for dynamic load tests, and the control and monitoring of bridges.

The evaluation of the structural health of a bridge and the monitoring of its bearing capacity are performed by measuring different parameters. The most important ones are the displacements due to fixed or mobile loads, whose monitoring can be performed using several methods, both conventional and innovative. Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) is effectively used to obtain the displacements of the decks for static loads, while for dynamic measurements, several punctual sensors are in general used. The proposed system uses a TLS, set as a line scanner and positioned under the bridge deck. The TLS acquires a vertical section of the intrados, or a line along a section to be monitored. The instantaneous deviations between the lines detected in dynamic conditions and the reference one acquired with the unloaded bridge, allow to extract the displacements and, consequently, the elastic curve. The synchronization of TLS acquisitions and load location, obtained from a Global Navigation Satellite System GNSS receiver or from a video, is an important feature of the method. Three tests were carried out on as many bridges. The first was performed during the maneuvers of a heavy truck traveling on a bridge characterized by a simply supported metal structure deck. The second concerned a prestressed concrete bridge with cantilever beams. The third concerned the pylon of a cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge during a load test. The results show high precision and confirm the usefulness of this method both for performing dynamic tests and for monitoring bridges.