Struture Monitoring from GPS Multipath Effect

Abstract

More than ever, the continuous monitoring of large structures is essential. Among the monitoring systems, the GPS has being pointed out. However, depending on the structure, installing a GPS receiver can be really difficulty, mainly under risk of collapse. Thus, the method of this research aims to monitor a structure, without the need of installing a receiver directly in the structure, using the multipath effect due to GPS signal reflections. As this effect repeats in consecutive days, a change on its pattern indicates structure movements. Although the detection of multipath effect is not an easy task, the first investigations in this sense were promised. However, experiments designed for this purpose and improvements in the methodology are need for an accurate detection of multipath effect as well as its variation due to the structure movement. With the proposed methodology, low cost monitoring can be reached reducing human and material risks.