Assessment of the Effectiveness of Devices for Monitoring the Stability of Building Structures During Rescue Operations in Debris Zones
Abstract
Purpose. To identify the most effective equipment for rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in order to enhance safety and improve the efficiency of rescue operations in destruction zones.
Method. An analytical review of global experience in the use of sensor technologies during rescue operations, an examination of their technical characteristics, operating principles, and practical applications, as well as a comparative analysis of their effectiveness during rescue work in areas of structural collapse.
Findings. Six innovative devices for structural condition monitoring were selected. It was established that the Leader WASP and Leader SENTRY B1 are the most effective for timely warning of hazardous displacements and for creating safe working zones for rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. It was also determined that no single device is universal — their effectiveness depends on the type of damage, access conditions, required response speed, and the scale of destruction.
Theoretical implications. the work systematizes modern technical solutions for monitoring the structural stability of buildings, summarizing international experience with sensor systems and forming a scientific foundation for implementing multi-level structural monitoring during rescue operations.
Practical implications. the obtained results allow for informed selection of devices for real-time monitoring of unstable structures, increase the safety of rescuers, reduce the risk of secondary collapses, and enable the development of combined monitoring systems adapted to wartime conditions (mobility, autonomy, rapid deployment, and suitability for hard-to-reach locations).
Originality. For the first time in the context of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, a comprehensive comparative analysis of devices with different technological principles (inclinometers, accelerometers, crack gauges, laser systems, and multiparametric monitoring devices) has been conducted, allowing for the development of practical recommendations for their implementation in rescue operations.
Research limitations. The limitations concern the absence of full-scale field testing of the devices under real collapse conditions, as well as the dependence of device effectiveness on accessibility and the quality of initial data regarding the structural condition. Future research may focus on integrated sensor systems and their operational testing.
Paper type. Review.
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References
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Copyright (c) 2025 Alina Perehin, Artem Huz, Roman Shevchenko, Roman Melezhyk, Volodymyr Lypovyi, Valerii Strilets
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