What is a Baseline Dynamic Signature (BDS)?

A simple one-day measurement that will memorialize a structure’s performance, quantify its structural risk profile, can be used to identify weaknesses or problems, help prioritize budgets, validate construction work, and assess damage after a wind or seismic event. A Baseline Dynamic Signature (BDS) of a building provides an objective measurement of the "as built" performance compared to code required criteria.

It’s an OBJECTIVE method of quickly measuring a structures dynamic response.

It memorializes a structure’s performance including; frequencies of resonance, displacements, mode shapes, and non-linear damping. These parameters define the structural response.

The analysis of the response is used to compare with the wind code requirements.

Invaluable for assessing a structure’s condition compared to code minimums. Also useful for quantifying future damage due to aging, earthquakes, or wind events. This is an invaluable decision making tool!

It’s like an "EKG for a structure." As with an EKG, a BDS is used to memorialize and assess the dynamic function and behavior of a structure to identify problems and risks. It's also used for future comparison to determine a loss of capacity or damage.

Process of a BDS

The techniques used for a BDS analysis are based on structural dynamics and engineering. Recent advancements in electronics, sensors, and cloud computing have converged to allow us to provide this advanced service in a rapid and cost effective manner. We use this advanced technology to help assess and protect important structures for government and private industry.

What Is the Value to the Owner or Manager?

Receive a Certificate of Risk Assessment.

Helps assure that the building is safe and built as designed. It also compares response to design codes.

Identifies potential structural problems so they can be quantified and repaired correctly.

Clearly proves if damage has occurred from construction work, excavation, aging, or natural events. Integral to the decision-making process.

Provides an objective benchmark of a structure’s dynamic performance and risk profile.

Will identify major flaws which may have been missed through inspections.

Real-time measurements used to avoid damage during construction and for re-occupancy.

Building Safety and Liability Reduction

Structural Commissioning is a practical method that objectively measures building performance to ensure public safety. Without verifying capacity, the industry perpetuates a climate of uncertainty and risk. Codes now reference appropriate analysis methods, making it necessary for developers, owners, and engineers to ensure the design intent was met. Ignoring validation will result in liability for all parties. Structural Commissioning will become a requirement for performance-based design.

Key Takeaways

A one-day measurement will establish the dynamic characteristic of a building to validate that it was built as intended and consistent with design requirements. This is an important level of feedback for engineers, owners and communities.

Capture the structure’s unique dynamic signature.

As each building ages, or is impacted by storms or earthquakes, changes can be quantified. This will help expedite re-occupancy after events and if repair to damage is needed.

Purchasers of buildings can understand if they are buying a structure which needs repair.

Structural Commissioning will create a mechanism that will improve the building stock over time by allowing professionals and code committees to understand how buildings perform and if they present a risk in the context of the codes.