InSAR application for Structural Health Monitoring: Methodologies for anomaly detection and Heritage Building assessment

The need for reliable and efficient Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems has become increasingly critical as urban infrastructure ages and the demand for safe, resilient buildings is growing. Traditional SHM methods, while effective, often require physical sensors and invasive procedures that can be costly, labor-intensive, and difficult to scale. In this context, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology, particularly Multi-Temporal InSAR (MT-InSAR), emerges as a promising tool to monitor structural deformations with a non-invasive, cost-effective, and large-scale system. This research project explores the integration of InSAR with existing SHM systems to improve monitoring accuracy and ensure the preservation and safety of urban structures and heritage sites. The central aim of this research is to evaluate the potential of InSAR for monitoring the structural health of individual buildings and large urban areas. The specific objectives are as follows: (I) determining the conditions and scenarios in which InSAR is effective for monitoring single structures; (II) developing methodologies for managing and interpreting InSAR data over wide urban areas; (III) integrating InSAR data with other SHM tools, such as ground-based sensors and architectural assessments, to provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of structural health; (IV) assessing the strengths and limitations of InSAR as a practical tool for SHM. The first part of the thesis focuses on the application of InSAR for monitoring individual structures, particularly historical buildings. The thesis addresses three areas: (1) damage detection, where the accuracy of InSAR in identifying and reconstructing damage state in structures; (2) post-earthquake monitoring, in which the efficacy of InSAR in detecting deformation caused by seismic activity is evaluated; (3) cultural heritage monitoring, where potentiality and limitations of InSAR in preserving and monitoring the structural integrity of heritage sites are highlighted. The second part of the thesis explores the application of InSAR for monitoring urban areas. It addresses the challenges of effectively managing large datasets and maintaining accuracy across wide regions. An algorithm has been developed which enables the rapid identification of buildings that may be subject to potential risks. The third and last part presents a methodology for integrating InSAR data with other structural information, using a centralized data management system. The proposed model combines ground-based sensor data, architectural assessments, and InSAR data into a comprehensive monitoring framework. The research findings indicate that InSAR technology provides significant benefits in the monitoring of structural integrity at both the individual building and the urban area scale. Its non-invasive nature and ability to provide continuous, large-scale data make it an essential tool for modern SHM systems. However, technological constraints, as well as challenges in data interpretation, underscore the necessity of integrating InSAR with other SHM techniques to achieve optimal outcomes. The study offers valuable recommendations for practitioners and policymakers, advocating for the further development of InSAR-based systems to enhance urban resilience and cultural heritage preservation.