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Structural and motion monitoring

Structural Health Monitoring System (SHMS)

Precision monitoring for structural integrity in offshore environments.

The WISE Group Structural Health Monitoring System (SHMS) monitors structural integrity on offshore wind assets, fixed and floating. Built on our AIM technology, it provides the data to maintain safety, optimise maintenance strategies and extend asset life.

Discuss a monitoring scope
What it measures

Monitor, predict, protect

Offshore, precise structural monitoring is essential. The SHMS captures high-resolution vibration, displacement and angular data, supporting predictive maintenance and fatigue assessment. Identifying structural issues at the earliest stage helps operators avoid costly downtime and interventions.

The SHMS continuously measures

  • Vibrations and accelerations (X, Y and Z axes)
  • Structural displacement and deformation
  • Modal behaviour: sway, torsion and resonance frequencies
  • Long-term structural trends and fatigue progression
  • Structural responses to environmental loads

Typical results

What the data looks like

Typical SHMS modal response plot

Modal response

The structure’s resonance frequencies, identified from the measured vibration.

SHMS modal results trended over time

Modal results over time

The same results trended over time, so long-term changes in structural behaviour show up.

The measurement

Advanced Inertial Measurement (AIM) technology

Our AIM technology is the backbone of the SHMS, combining multiple MEMS-based accelerometers and precision tilt sensors in one unit. AIM sensors are positioned across the structural elements to give accurate measurements in extreme offshore conditions, in stainless-steel IP67-rated housings built for long-term data collection.

AIM sensor capabilities

  • High-precision six degrees of freedom (6DOF) measurement
  • Noise reduction through grouped accelerometer configurations
  • Real-time temperature calibration for measurement accuracy
  • Configurable data acquisition, sampling up to 1 kHz, with RS485, RS232, Ethernet and analogue connectivity
A WISE AIM sensor unit, opened to show the electronicsAn SHMS stainless steel junction box

Data processing

Data processing for digital twin integration

WISE Group uses non-real-time (NRT) methods to calculate structural displacement from acceleration data. The approach adds a short processing delay, but gives the accuracy detailed structural analysis, health assessment and digital twin modelling need.

For a digital twin strategy, the SHMS provides

  • Detailed structural deformation data
  • Fatigue analysis and lifecycle assessments
  • Real-time integrity monitoring dashboards
  • API-based integration

Flexible system architecture

Every SHMS is configured for the application. Systems typically use multiple AIM units in a scalable matrix, for full structural coverage and redundancy, and can add complementary sensors such as optical strain gauges for stress measurement or wave radar for environmental monitoring.

A typical configuration includes

  • Multiple AIM units, with satellite sensor options
  • Optical strain gauges for fatigue tracking
  • Stainless steel junction boxes with surge protection
  • Rack-mounted industrial servers and software
  • Remote data access and real-time visualisation

Integration option

Bolt monitoring

The SHMS can incorporate wireless bolt monitoring sensors that continuously track bolt preload and integrity. With battery lives of up to 20 years and IP68-rated housings, they reduce the need for manual inspection, and their data feeds into the same SHMS framework.

Key benefits

Safety

Early detection of structural anomalies reduces operational risk.

Asset life

Informed maintenance and fatigue management decisions extend service life.

Uptime

Proactive monitoring helps prevent costly downtime.

Durability

Offshore-grade materials for consistent performance in extreme conditions.

Where to next

The Structural Health Monitoring System sits in Structural and Motion Monitoring, one of six monitoring areas WISE Group delivers.

In this area: Foundation Monitoring System · Life Extension Monitoring System (oil and gas) · Vessel Motion Monitoring · Hull Stress Monitoring

Related systems: MetOcean and weather monitoring · Excursion monitoring · Helideck Monitoring

Also useful: The WISE AIM motion sensor · AIM technology · Service and support

Useful to include

  • The structure: fixed or floating, and its design life
  • What has to be measured, and where
  • Any strain, motion or bolt monitoring already installed

What happens next

1

We confirm the measurements and the sensor layout.

2

We define the AIM configuration, data processing and integration.

3

You get a scope for supply, installation and service.

Get in touch

Tell us about the structure and what you need to know about it, and we will come back on how an SHMS would be configured. Ask here for the SHMS system overview and the AIM sensor datasheet.

You can also contact us directly.