How Climate Change Affects Infrastructure Resilience

The effects of climate change on our daily lives are becoming increasingly evident: from intense summer heatwaves to more frequent abnormal weather events, extreme conditions are becoming part of our everyday reality.

The same holds true for infrastructures, which are facing growing pressures due to climate change.

In this context, we present a case study of one of our monitoring interventions on a lighthouse tower that had visible anomalies.

The Specific Case of Monitoring a Lighthouse Tower

After an initial on-site inspection, it was decided to install our SHBox system on the structure to assess its stability and detect any critical vibrations or oscillations.

To achieve a comprehensive measurement of the structure, seven multi-sensor nodes were strategically placed:

• 2 nodes at the top of the tower to measure peak oscillations;
• 2 nodes midway up the tower to monitor vibrations along the structure;
• 3 nodes at the base to detect any movements or deformations at the tower’s foundation.

Thanks to real-time data transmission via the LoRa network, our solution enabled the continuous recording of key parameters such as vibration amplitude and the “elastic capacity” of the tower to return to its initial position using tri-axial inclinometers.

Want to know more about how the SHBox system is installed? Read our detailed article for further insights.

Guiding Maintenance Through Data

During the monitoring period, our system collected a wide range of data, allowing us to compare the actual behavior of the tower with the one initially predicted in the design.

This revealed a very significant insight: today’s stresses do not always match those for which infrastructures were originally designed. At the same time, the increase in extreme climate events is progressively accelerating the deterioration of architectural works.

This type of monitoring highlighted how adopting predictive technologies can become a crucial advantage for infrastructure maintenance.

Where visual inspections may fail, monitoring detects even minimal alterations, enabling timely interventions before a critical issue leads to damage or, in extreme cases, an emergency.

Towards a New Cultural Paradigm

Given this scenario, it’s worth reflecting briefly on the example provided.

Predictivity represents, in fact, a cultural shift necessary to ensure the longevity of infrastructures and the safety of spaces. However, it is not always seen as an added value; in fact, many companies still view predictive maintenance as a cost rather than an investment.

Sysdev’s SHBox system and its various associated monitoring solutions, on the other hand, enable companies to look beyond, protecting their infrastructures from the risks of unforeseen stress and progressive wear, thus containing repair costs and, most importantly, maximizing safety.

Join the Sysdev Ecosystem

Sysdev supports companies and institutions in monitoring their architectural works, enabling predictive management of their infrastructure assets.

Want to learn how to tailor our SHBox system to your specific needs? Get in touch with our team of professionals to find out more.