System and Method for Monitoring Structural Changes

A system for detecting changes in a structure comprising:

• a deformation gauge comprising:
• a sensor array comprising:
• three 3-dimensional magnetic sensors triangularly arranged in a single plane;
• wherein the sensor array is operably connected to a microprocessor;
• a target magnet having a magnetic field that is positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the magnetic sensors are arranged;
• wherein the microprocessor is configured to detect changes in a distance of each sensor relative to the target magnet to determine changes of the position of the target magnet in three dimensions;
• and
• a tilt gauge comprising:
• a plurality of three-axis accelerometers operably connected to the microprocessor that is configured to interpret data from the plurality of three-axis accelerometers to detect changes in the position in 3 dimensions of the plurality of three-axis accelerometers in relation to Earth's gravity.

A method of detecting changes a structure, the method comprising:

• disposing an array of magnetic sensors onto the structure;
• disposing a target magnet on the structure at a predetermined position relative to the array of magnetic sensors;
• calibrating the array of magnetic sensors based on the position of the target magnet;
• monitoring, via microprocessors, one or more signals from the array of magnetic sensors indicative of a magnetic field generated by the target magnet;
• and
• determining, via a microprocessor, a change in position of the target magnet based on the monitoring.