Real-time structural health monitoring of Yusufeli Arch Dam: a detailed analysis of dynamic characteristics during water impoundment

Monitoring the dynamic behaviour of large concrete dams during reservoir impoundment is critical for ensuring their structural safety and operational performance. Although arch dams exhibit high rigidity, they are sensitive to environmental influences such as reservoir water level fluctuations and temperature variations, which can significantly affect their modal characteristics. This study presents a real-time structural health monitoring (SHM) approach applied to the Yusufeli Arch Dam, covering both the empty reservoir state and progressive water impoundment stages. Ambient vibration tests were conducted when the reservoir was empty to establish baseline dynamic properties. A cloud-based monitoring platform was developed to continuously collect, store, process, interpret, and visualise sensor data. The platform allows real-time graphing of raw signals and triggers alarms when predefined thresholds are exceeded. Operational modal analysis was employed to track changes in the dam’s natural frequencies and mode shapes during different reservoir conditions. The findings offer valuable insights into the dam’s structural performance, contributing to enhanced safety, long-term durability, and resilience planning for future hydroelectric infrastructure.