REMOTE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ONSET OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE

1 . A method for monitoring a structure subject to a mechanical load, the method comprising:

measuring physical parameters associated with natural oscillations of the structure when subject to the mechanical load;

transforming the physical parameters into a normal mode spectrum, such that the normal mode spectrum represents the natural oscillations of the structure; and

broadcasting a structural failure alarm as a function of a change in the normal mode spectrum near a critical point.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transforming the physical parameters into the normal mode spectrum comprises transforming the physical parameters such that the normal mode spectrum represents a natural mode of oscillation having a frequency of less than one hundred hertz.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transforming the physical parameters into the normal mode spectrum comprises transforming the physical parameters such that the normal mode spectrum represents a natural mode of oscillation having a subsonic frequency.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transforming the physical parameters into the normal mode spectrum comprises transforming the physical parameters such that the normal mode spectrum represents a natural mode of oscillation having an order of less than ten.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transforming the physical parameters into the normal mode spectrum comprises transforming the physical parameters such that the normal mode spectrum represents a fundamental mode of oscillation.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting an alarm as a function of a change in the normal mode spectra comprises broadcasting the alarm as a function of an approach to a zero or unbounded value near the critical point.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the approach to a zero or unbounded value comprises a change of greater than ten percent in an oscillation frequency or an oscillation period.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting an alarm as a function of a change in the normal mode spectra comprises broadcasting the alarm as a function of an approach to an unbounded or zero slope of a frequency or period curve.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the approach to a zero or unbounded slope comprises a change of greater than twenty percent in the slope of the frequency or period curve.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting an alarm as a function of a change in the normal mode spectrum comprises broadcasting the alarm as a function of a deviation from an analytical model of the natural oscillation.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the deviation from the analytical model comprises a deviation of at least three sigma in a frequency, a period or a slope, as compared to the analytical model.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein measuring physical parameters associated with natural oscillations of the structure comprises measuring physical parameters associated with natural oscillations of a bridge.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein broadcasting an alarm comprises directing traffic to stay off the bridge.

14 . A method for warning of impending structural collapse, the method comprising:

measuring physical quantities associated with subsonic modes of oscillation in a structure subject to a mechanical load;

transforming the measured physical quantities into a normal mode spectrum, wherein the normal mode spectrum characterizes the subsonic modes of oscillation; and

transmitting a warning of impending collapse, wherein the warning is a function of a shift in the normal mode spectrum near a critical point.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein transmitting the warning of impending collapse is a function of a shift toward zero frequency in one of the subsonic modes of oscillation.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein transmitting the warning of impending collapse is a function of a shift toward a zero slope in one of the subsonic modes of oscillation.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein transmitting the warning of impending collapse is a function of a shift toward an undefined slope in one of the subsonic modes of oscillation.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein transforming the measured physical quantities into the normal mode spectrum comprises transforming the physical quantities such that the normal mode spectrum characterizes a fundamental mode of oscillation.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein transmitting the warning of impending collapse comprises transmitting the warning to emergency response personnel in order to evacuate the structure.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein transmitting the warning of impending collapse comprises transmitting a warning signal to direct persons to evacuate the structure.

21 . A system for detecting onset of structural failure in a structural element, the system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a physical parameter associated with a normal mode of natural oscillation in the structural element;

a signal processor for transforming the physical parameter into an oscillation function representing the normal mode; and

a transmitter for transmitting an alarm indicating the onset of structural failure based on a shift in the oscillation function as the oscillation approaches a critical point.

22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the normal mode has an order of less then ten.

23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the shift comprises a shift of greater than ten percent in a period or frequency of the oscillation function.

24 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the shift comprises a shift of greater than twenty percent in a slope of the oscillation function.

25 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the shift comprises a deviation of at least three sigma between the oscillation function and an analytical model of the normal mode.

26 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the shift in the oscillation function occurs before failure of local components of the structural element.

27 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the shift in the oscillation function is indicative of the onset of a buckling failure.