The use of Single Frequency GPS to measure the deformations and deflections of structures

The Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy (IESSG) at the University of Nottingham has been involved in deformation monitoring of structures for many years. This includes the use of terrestrial surveying equipment as well as GPS. In addition, for about 10 years the IESSG has been researching methods of allowing GPS to aid the deflection monitoring of structures. Structures not only exhibit long term deformation characteristics, but also short term deflections. The characteristics of such deflections are important to enable engineers to calculate and evaluate the health of such structures.