ISO 16587:2004

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16587
First edition
2004-10-01
Mechanical vibration and shock —
Performance parameters for condition
monitoring of structures
Vibrations et chocs mécaniques — Paramètres de performance pour la
surveillance des structures
Reference number
©
ISO 2004
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ii © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
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International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 16587 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 108, Mechanical vibration and shock.
Introduction
This International Standard provides general guidelines for the condition monitoring of structures, using
parameters typically used to measure or monitor structure performance, such as displacement, strain,
vibration, settlement, rotation, temperature, and foundation pore pressure.
It has been structured to be consistent with ISO 13380 and ISO 17359 in order to facilitate a consistent
approach to the condition monitoring of systems.
The information provided in this International Standard will be supplemented by ISO 18431 which will be
published in several parts.
iv © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16587:2004(E)

Mechanical vibration and shock — Performance parameters for
condition monitoring of structures
1 Scope
This International Standard describes the performance parameters for assessing the condition of structures,
including types of measurement, factors for setting acceptable performance limits, data acquisition parameters
for constructing uniform databases, and internationally accepted measurement guidance (e.g. terminology,
transducer calibration, transducer mounting and approved transfer function techniques).
The procedures relate to in-service monitoring of structures, and include all components and sub-assemblies
necessary to provide the functioning of the structure as a complete entity. The monitoring is intended to be
ongoing in nature through the lifecycle of the structure.
NOTE 1 Figure 1 is a flowchart showing how this International Standard takes the user from the initial client need for
condition monitoring of structures through to the point where the corresponding performance parameters have been
chosen. Subsequent standards will deal with how these parameters are measured and processed.
This International Standard presupposes that a “high level” need for condition monitoring of structures already
exists.
NOTE 2 Some useful guidance on identifying this need, by the use of asset identification and reliability/criticality audits,
is contained in ISO 17359.
The target industries for this International Standard include
 construction,
 infrastructure,
 transportation,
 power generation,
 oil and gas, and
 leisure and entertainment.
This International Standard is applicable to stationary structures, such as
 buildings,
 bridges and tunnels,
 towers, masts and antennae,
 tanks and silos,
 retaining walls and dams,
 jetties and other shore-side structures,
 offshore platforms,
 pressure vessels, and
 pipelines.
Non-stationary structures (e.g. self-propelled ships) and mobile structures (e.g. offshore jack-up platforms) are
excluded from this International Standard.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 2041:1990, Vibration and shock — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 2041 and the following apply.
3.1
defect
structural defect
event occurring when the condition of any of the components of a structure or their assembly is degraded or
exhibits abnormal behaviour
NOTE This may lead to failure of the structure.
3.2
failure
structural failure
termination of the ability of a structure to perform its required function
NOTE This generally happens when one or more of the components of a structure are in a defective condition, either
at a service or ultimate limit state. Also, failure is an event as distinguished from fault, which is a state.
3.3
performance parameter
structural performance parameter
one or more characteristic quantities such as displacement, strain, velocity, settlement, rotation and
acceleration
NOTE Performance is derived by measurement and calculation of one or more parameters, which singly or together
provide information on the characteristic quantity. Performance may be described in terms of static, quasi-static or
dynamic parameters, depending on the type of loading being experienced.
3.4
baseline values
parameters or derived quantities, determined under specific loading configurations and specified
environmental conditions, which may be stored or kept as reference values or characteristic profiles
NOTE Baseline values are normally strongly dependent on temperature.
2 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

3.5
structure
stationary structure
stationary engineering artefact
EXAMPLES
 land-based structure, such as a building or bridge;
 coastal structure, such as a jetty;
 offshore structure, such as a fixed oil production platform and pipelines.
3.6
limit state
boundary of a domain within which the structure is assumed to satisfy the design criteria
NOTE Limit states are classified into ultimate limit states and service limit states.
3.7
ultimate limit state
state associated with collapse or with other forms of structural failure, which may endanger structural safety
NOTE The passage of an ultimate limit state is considered to cause failure.
3.8
service limit state
state associated with specified service criteria for normal use
NOTE In the case of permanent damage or permanent unacceptable deformations, the first passage of a service limit
state is irreversible and is considered to cause failure. In other cases (such as temporary damage, temporary
deformations or vibrations), the passage of a service limit state may be reversible and then a passage of a limit state does
not always cause failure.
4 Monitored parameters and limits
4.1 Type of performance parameter
A large range of performance parameters may be measured for the purposes of establishing performance
criteria, both for acceptance testing and for through-life monitoring. The parameters to be considered are
those which will indicate a defect condition either by an increase or decrease in overall measured value, or by
some other change to a characteristic value. The parameters may be either quasi-static (varying with time
relatively slowly) or dynamic (varying with time relatively rapidly) in nature. The parameters may be identified
with the assistance of reliability/criticality audits. Examples include displacement, strain, vibration, temperature,
and stress waves.
Condition monitoring of structures will usually be carried out at the serviceability limit state. Any extrapolation
to ultimate limit state performance requires careful consideration.
4.2 Type of measurement and diagnosis
Examples of performance parameters, and measurement transducers and systems, useful to consider for a
number of structure types are given in Annex A. Measurement transducers and systems shall be appropriately
calibrated (for example in accordance with the relevant part of ISO 5347 or ISO 16063), mounted (for example
in accordance with ISO 5348) and experimentally determined (for example in accordance with ISO 7626).
When monitoring structures, features must be extracted from the measured performance parameters. These
may be overall values, or values averaged over time in simple cases. In most cases, these simple features or
descriptors are not useful as symptoms for the occurrence of defects. Signal-processing techniques may be
required to reveal changes caused by emerging defects. These data-processing techniques, which are
diagnostic in nature, include narrow-band vibration analysis, transfer-function analysis (e.g. mechanical
mobility), broad-band vibration analysis, structural-damping analysis (both time domain and spatial domain),
mechanical power-flow, complex wave number analysis, etc.
Condition monitoring systems can take many forms. They can utilize permanently installed, semi-permanent
or portable measuring instrumentation, or can involve methods for remote or local analysis.
4.3 Measurement uncertainty of monitored parameters
The measurement uncertainty (accuracy) required of monitored parameters to be used for structure condition
monitoring and diagnosis is not so absolute as the accuracy that may be required for performance
measurement. Methods utilizing trending of values can be effective when repeatability of measurement is
more important than absolute accuracy of measurement. Correction of measured parameters, for example to
ISO standard conditions of pressure and temperature, is not necessarily required for routine condition
monitoring. Where this is required, advice is given in the appropriate acceptance testing standard. It should be
noted, however, that some parameters can be strongly dependent on temperature.
4.4 Sources of error and uncertainty
Measured values and baselines can change due to maintenance work, including component change,
adjustment or duty change, and can also be affected by temperature change. In certain cases, the baseline
may need to be re-established following such changes.
It should be noted that changes in measured values might also be due to normal or controlled changes in the
operating conditions, and may not necessarily indicate a defective condition.
Examples of error and uncertainty include calibration uncertainties, uncertainty induced by transducer
mounting, instrumentation measurement uncertainty, and uncertainty in calibration from environmental effects
on measurement systems. Such errors and uncertainties can be minimized by the proper application of
standards such as ISO 5347, ISO 5348, ISO 7626 and ISO 16063.
4.5 Factors affecting the setting of limits
As may be seen from Figure 1, the acceptable limits should be chosen by suitably experienced personnel,
based on the following:
 design, construction, operation and maintenance codes, standards and criteria;
 type and magnitude of loading;
 service limit state and ultimate limit state characteristics;
 anticipated structural failure modes, either based on experience or on finite element models.
Many of the chosen limits may be preliminary, and may have to be improved iteratively after a period of
monitoring (“trial and error”).
4 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Figure 1 — Flowchart illustrating an idealized condition-monitoring lifecycle
5 Measurement procedure and data processing
5.1 Measurement techniques
For the particular measurable parameter considered applicable, one or more measurement techniques may
be appropriate. The particular technique chosen should then be assessed as to the practicalities of
implementation, and the type of condition monitoring system required. Where appropriate, measurement
techniques specified in currently approved International Standards should be followed (for example, the
ISO 7626 series outline the appropriate techniques for conducting mechanical mobility measurements).
5.2 Feasibility of measurement
Consideration should be given to the feasibility of acquiring the measurements, including ease of access,
complexity of required
...