Deformation monitoring surveys - old problems and new solutions

Growing need for fully aulomated and continuous monitoring of structural and ground deformations creates new challenges for the design and analysis of monitoring schemes in which multi-sensor systems start playing a dominating role. At the same time, old problems of effects of atmospheric refraction and identification of unstable reference points still remain valid. On the other hand, rapid progress in deterministic modeling of deformation makes the design and integrated analysis of the multi-sensor monitoring surveys easier and more efficient than in the past. Through the combination of deterministic modeling with the results of monitoring surveys, a better understanding of the behaviour of deformable objects is achieved. Examples are given from monitoring large dams and open pit mines.