Residential and Heritage Buildings

Our group specialises in structural health monitoring (SHM) for various building types, including residential, heritage, and high-rise structures. We develop and apply advanced sensing technologies, data analysis methods, and maintenance strategies to assess and ensure structural safety and longevity. For residential buildings, SHM detects early signs of deterioration, load changes, and material aging, enabling targeted repairs and extending service life. In heritage buildings, we emphasise non-invasive techniques to preserve cultural assets while monitoring structural integrity against environmental factors and ageing. High-rise residential buildings pose unique challenges due to their height, complexity, and dynamic loading; our research aims to enhance vibration analysis, stress distribution assessment, and real-time monitoring systems to improve safety and performance. 

By integrating innovative sensors, machine learning, and remote monitoring, we provide reliable, cost-effective solutions to maintain the safety, functionality, and historical value of diverse building typologies.

Projects

Luleå Firehouse tower
On the left: The Luleå fire house tower. On the right: Sensor locations in the structure. Photo: UiT
Heritage Buildings

The Basilica of Assisi (Italy), a 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage site, lies in a highly seismic region and suffered major damage in the 1997 earthquake (Mw 6.0). To safeguard the monument, a long-term monitoring system was deployed on the Upper Basilica vaults and the bell tower. The project utilizes a sensor network for efficient analysis by identifying the structure’s dynamic behaviour and potential anomalies. It correlates recent seismic events with vault's displacements and the modal properties of the bell tower. The ongoing program aims for expansion of the monitoring network, contributing to the preservation of the Basilica of Assisi and in advancing knowledge of the long-term behaviour of monumental structures under complex loading conditions.

Basilica in Assisi Photo: Unknown

Contact point

Daniele Storni

e-mail: dasto3518@uit.no

Publications

  1. A comprehensive long term monitoring system of an iconic heritage complex: the Assisi Basilica case study. Authors: Daniele Storni, Harpal Singh, Alessandroni G., Di Donato N., Moroni M. G., Fusetti S., Ciarlariello D., Yang W., Martino C., Gross H., Patanè D., Occhipinti G.
  2. A comprehensive study of signal processing techniques of importance for operation modal analysis (OMA) and its application to a high-rise building. Authors: Harpal Singh, Niklas Grip, Per Johan Nicklasson. Published: April 1, 2021.
  3. Analysis of civil engineering infrastructure in Norway with solutions based on structural health monitoring and artificial intelligence. Authors: Kristoffer Meyer Tangrand and Harpal Singh. Published: May 19, 2025