Use of control charts for multi-temporal analysis of geodetic auscultation data from dams

Abstract

Geodesic auscultation can be used to monitor the movement of dam structures by measuring the distance, at different epochs from fixed positions (pillars) to other positions (targets). It is important to identify the targets that present atypical measurements to permit managers to take corrective actions. After fitting a model using the Least Squares Method (LSM), the residuals normally display random behavior. Multivariate control charts are then applied to the residuals of the fitted model from data taken of geodesic survey campaigns conducted at different epochs. Control charts have been widely applied in other fields of research than production processes such as public health, marketing, services. The results show that it is possible for monitoring the multi-temporal stability by the multivariate control charts. The method provides complementary information than the classical univariate statistical analysis.