Case-based Decision Support for Structural Health Monitoring

This thesis describes a Case-based Decision Support System which is intended for being used in the field of Structural Health Monitoring to support the assessment of complex structures (by using the example of bridges) as well as to support the decision making process for the automatic analysis and assessment of simple structures (by using the example of lamp posts). The objective is to check the possibility whether the method Case-based Reasoning can contribute successfully to support Structural Health Monitoring. Structural Health Monitoring can be termed as the implementation of a damage identification strategy to identify, localise and even to prevent possible damages of structures (e.g. buildings, bridges, pipes, lamp posts, and wind engines). The analysis and interpretation of measuring data done by engineers represent a very complex and time-consuming issue. Besides that, the results are affected by subjectivity and experience of engineers. Case-based Reasoning is a cyclic problem solving process, whereby no new solutions should be developed manually for new problems. In fact, similar solutions of similar problems should be retrieved and reused from a so-called case base to provide rapid and cost-efficient solutions. Engineers shall be supported in assessing complex measuring data by using a Case-based Decision Support System. Similar structures and/or similar structural elements as well as important background-information shall be found and made available for complex structures. For supporting the assessment of simple structures (lamp posts), a case-based system shall be provided for interpreting measuring data automatically to make suggestions about lamp posts' condition.