Remote optical sensing of the integrity of a structure using reflected or scattered light

摘要

A method and device for remotely detecting structural integrity using reflections or scattering from windows or other portions of a structure. The long geometrical lever arm of a reflection on a building window, when viewed with suitable instruments, produces detectable modulation in the reflected light from minute vibrational changes upon the glass surface, revealing fundamental resonances and structural changes and failure in the building housing the window. By sensing very small changes in intensity and polarization, information may be obtained on fundamental resonances and structural changes, including failure or imminent failure of the structure.