ABSTRACT
The term monitoring usually relates to a continual record of performance, but there are many occasions when discrete measurements or surveys are appropriate in the assessment of structures. Discrete measurements often have an advantage over long-term monitoring due to the costs involved and some of the technical problems which are avoided. However, it is important to select the appropriate system to provide the information required by the investigation. Most dynamic investigations related to the assessment of structures fall into the category of discrete measurements. There are occasions when long-term monitoring is required to check either the vibration levels to which the structure is exposed (e.g. vibrations caused by nearby excavations), or to monitor structural response (e.g. building response to wind loading).
