Data Interpretation in Structural Health Monitoring: Toward a Universal Language

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) relies on the effective communication between sensors and diagnostic systems, yet data interpretation remains inconsistent and subjective. This paper introduces a novel perspective, viewing data as a form of language with its own syntax, semantics, and pragmatics....

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Main Authors: Magda Ruiz, Óscar Gualdrón, José A. Peral Mondaza, Luis Eduardo Mujica Delgado
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3054
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author Magda Ruiz
Óscar Gualdrón
José A. Peral Mondaza
Luis Eduardo Mujica Delgado
author_facet Magda Ruiz
Óscar Gualdrón
José A. Peral Mondaza
Luis Eduardo Mujica Delgado
author_sort Magda Ruiz
collection DOAJ
description Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) relies on the effective communication between sensors and diagnostic systems, yet data interpretation remains inconsistent and subjective. This paper introduces a novel perspective, viewing data as a form of language with its own syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. By adopting this linguistic framework, the study emphasizes the need for standardized “grammars” in data collection, processing, and analysis to reduce ambiguity and enhance diagnostic reliability. Using case studies from SHM, the paper illustrates how subjective decisions in variable selection, cluster labels, preprocessing, and modeling introduce biases that affect the outcomes. The findings highlight the potential of context-aware algorithms and integrated data sources to mitigate these biases. This conceptual approach has broader implications for data science, suggesting a universal “language of data” that fosters consistency and collaboration across disciplines. By recognizing the constructed nature of data, this work offers a path toward more accurate, efficient, and reliable structural diagnostics, advancing both SHM practices and data interpretation methodologies.
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spelling doaj-art-480c70d837e5443a98000c3c5fc940b32025-08-20T02:33:55ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-05-012510305410.3390/s25103054Data Interpretation in Structural Health Monitoring: Toward a Universal LanguageMagda Ruiz0Óscar Gualdrón1José A. Peral Mondaza2Luis Eduardo Mujica Delgado3Departament de Matemàtiques, Escola d’Enginyeria de Barcelona Est (EEBE), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Campus Diagonal-Besòs (CDB), Carrer Eduard Maristany, 6-12, San Adrià de Besòs, 08930 Barcelona, SpainGo Advice and Consulting, Calle 99 11b-66, Bogotá 110221, ColombiaDepartament de Promoció Econòmica, Ajuntament de Sant Andreu de la Barca, Escoles Velles, Carrer Ctra. de Barcelona, 1, Sant Andreu de la Barca, 08740 Barcelona, SpainDepartament de Matemàtiques, Escola d’Enginyeria de Barcelona Est (EEBE), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Campus Diagonal-Besòs (CDB), Carrer Eduard Maristany, 6-12, San Adrià de Besòs, 08930 Barcelona, SpainStructural Health Monitoring (SHM) relies on the effective communication between sensors and diagnostic systems, yet data interpretation remains inconsistent and subjective. This paper introduces a novel perspective, viewing data as a form of language with its own syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. By adopting this linguistic framework, the study emphasizes the need for standardized “grammars” in data collection, processing, and analysis to reduce ambiguity and enhance diagnostic reliability. Using case studies from SHM, the paper illustrates how subjective decisions in variable selection, cluster labels, preprocessing, and modeling introduce biases that affect the outcomes. The findings highlight the potential of context-aware algorithms and integrated data sources to mitigate these biases. This conceptual approach has broader implications for data science, suggesting a universal “language of data” that fosters consistency and collaboration across disciplines. By recognizing the constructed nature of data, this work offers a path toward more accurate, efficient, and reliable structural diagnostics, advancing both SHM practices and data interpretation methodologies.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3054Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)monitoringdiagnosisdiagnostic reliabilityAI and machine learning in SHMdata interpretation
spellingShingle Magda Ruiz
Óscar Gualdrón
José A. Peral Mondaza
Luis Eduardo Mujica Delgado
Data Interpretation in Structural Health Monitoring: Toward a Universal Language
Sensors
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)
monitoring
diagnosis
diagnostic reliability
AI and machine learning in SHM
data interpretation
title Data Interpretation in Structural Health Monitoring: Toward a Universal Language
title_full Data Interpretation in Structural Health Monitoring: Toward a Universal Language
title_fullStr Data Interpretation in Structural Health Monitoring: Toward a Universal Language
title_full_unstemmed Data Interpretation in Structural Health Monitoring: Toward a Universal Language
title_short Data Interpretation in Structural Health Monitoring: Toward a Universal Language
title_sort data interpretation in structural health monitoring toward a universal language
topic Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)
monitoring
diagnosis
diagnostic reliability
AI and machine learning in SHM
data interpretation
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3054
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AT luiseduardomujicadelgado datainterpretationinstructuralhealthmonitoringtowardauniversallanguage