Press Release   -

Structural Health Monitoring Industry Gains Momentum as Governments and Enterprises Prioritize Infrastructure Safety

The global Structural Health Monitoring Market (SHM) is entering a dynamic growth phase, propelled by rising investments in infrastructure, ageing civil structures, advances in sensor and data-analytics technologies, and increasing regulatory scrutiny around structural safety. SHM systems combine hardware (sensors, data-acquisition systems), software and services to monitor the condition of bridges, buildings, tunnels, dams, energy assets, aerospace components and industrial machinery in real-time. As digital twin, IoT and predictive-maintenance paradigms become mainstream, the SHM market is poised for rapid expansion.

Key Takeaways

1. The SHM market is estimated at approximately USD 3.68 billion in 2024.
2. It is forecasted to grow to around USD 26.999 billion by 2035, representing a CAGR of about 19.95% between 2025 and 2035.
3. North America currently holds the largest share of the market, with Asia Pacific identified as the fastest-growing region.
4. Key growth drivers include ageing infrastructure, smart-city initiatives, digital-twin adoption, sensor cost declines and increased safety/regulatory demands.
5. Challenges include high initial investment, data-integration complexity, infrastructure retrofitting and scarcity of skilled specialists.

Key Market Trends & Insights

The SHM market is shaped by several noteworthy trends: first, the integration of IoT, edge-computing, wireless sensors and cloud analytics is enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of assets rather than periodic inspections. Second, the rise of digital-twin technology and predictive-maintenance frameworks means that SHM systems are becoming part of broader asset-management solutions. Third, infrastructure-renewal programmes and higher safety/regulatory standards—especially in developed markets—are accelerating adoption. Fourth, dropping costs of sensors, improved connectivity (5G/LPWAN) and scalable services are opening new end-use verticals beyond bridges and buildings. Together, these trends are fueling strong growth.

Market Size & Forecast

According to Vantage Market Research, the global SHM market is valued at approximately USD 3.68 billion in 2024. Over the period from 2025 to 2035, the market is expected to expand to around USD 26.999 billion, delivering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.95%. This significant expansion underscores the accelerating penetration of SHM solutions across civil infrastructure, aerospace, energy, mining and industrial applications.

The SHM market is moderately concentrated with a handful of global players and numerous regional specialists. Large engineering-services firms, sensor/IoT companies and system-integrators dominate, yet innovation and niche players are active in verticals (e.g., tunneling, aerospace, mining). Key characteristics include high upfront hardware-costs, long project implementation cycles, complex integration of sensors, data-analytics and asset-management platforms, and strong reliance on field data and services. Barriers to entry include certification, reliability testing of sensors, network-connectivity issues and integration with existing infrastructure networks. Strategic partnerships, acquisitions and service business-models are common in the competitive landscape.

Component Insights

The Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Market, segmented by component, includes hardware, software, and services. Hardware dominates due to the increasing deployment of sensors, data acquisition systems, and strain gauges in critical infrastructure. Software is gaining momentum with the adoption of AI and IoT-based analytics for real-time data interpretation. Meanwhile, the service segment is expanding as organizations increasingly rely on third-party monitoring and maintenance services to ensure long-term structural integrity and compliance with safety standards.

Connectivity Insights

Based on connectivity, the market is bifurcated into wired and wireless systems. Wired systems currently hold a substantial share owing to their reliability, high data transmission speed, and suitability for permanent installations in bridges and dams. However, wireless connectivity is projected to grow rapidly during the forecast period, driven by reduced installation costs, scalability, and advancements in low-power sensors. The shift toward smart cities and remote monitoring applications further supports wireless technology adoption in SHM systems.

End User Insights

The end-user segmentation comprises civil infrastructure, aerospace & defense, energy, mining, and others. Civil infrastructure leads the market, driven by the increasing need for safety monitoring of bridges, tunnels, and buildings. The aerospace & defense segment is growing as aircraft manufacturers adopt SHM systems for predictive maintenance and safety assurance. The energy sector, particularly wind and nuclear plants, is integrating SHM to enhance asset performance. The rising focus on extending the operational life of infrastructure assets drives SHM adoption across end-use industries.

Regional Insights

North America SHM Market Trends

In North America, the SHM market is largest and most mature, underpinned by aging infrastructure (bridges, highways, tunnels), stringent regulatory frameworks and strong technology vendor presence. High investments in retrofitting, smart-city programmes and digital-twin asset-management platforms drive adoption. The U.S. dominates regional revenue, supported by large scale infrastructure asset-owners and service providers, while Canada also invests in monitoring remote assets. Growth is steady and innovation-driven in this region.

Europe SHM Market Trends

Europe is experiencing consistent SHM market growth, driven by infrastructure renewal needs, regulatory oversight on structural safety and major programmes in the UK, Germany, France and Scandinavia. The region’s established engineering ecosystem, high-quality sensors and strong manufacturing base support adoption. Collaborative infrastructure projects across countries and the European Union’s focus on resilience and sustainability further fuel demand for SHM systems.

Asia Pacific SHM Market Trends

The Asia Pacific region is forecast to be the fastest-growing segment of the SHM market. Rapid urbanization, extensive infrastructure development in China, India, Southeast Asia and Australia, and rising spending on smart-city and transport-infrastructure projects drive adoption. Governments are increasingly prioritizing structural safety, digitalization and IoT integration for asset-management. Local manufacturing of sensors, lower cost of labour and strong growth in civil infrastructure projects contribute to rapid market expansion.

Latin America SHM Market Trends

Latin America’s SHM market is emerging, with increasing focus on monitoring bridges, dams, pipelines and buildings prone to seismic or structural risks. Countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Colombia invest in monitoring systems as part of infrastructure-resilience plans. Adoption is currently slower than developed regions due to budget constraints and maintenance-cost concerns, but growth potential remains high as asset-owners seek cost-effective solutions and service-models to extend asset life.

Middle East & Africa SHM Market Trends

The Middle East & Africa region is nascent but holds strong growth potential for SHM. Investments in large infrastructure projects (e.g., new cities, oil & gas facilities, transport hubs) in GCC countries, South Africa and North Africa drive early adoption. Challenges include limited local service networks and infrastructure maturity, but govermental initiatives toward smart infrastructure and remote monitoring in harsh environments elevate interest in SHM solutions.

Top Key Players Structural Health Monitoring Market:

1. Pure Technologies
2. Structural Monitoring Systems
3. Geocomp Corporation
4. Nova Metrix
5. Campbell Scientific
6. Geokon
7. Incorporated
8. Digitexx Data Systems
9. SIXENSE Systems
10. Bridge Diagnostics
11. RST Instruments
12. Sisgeo

These leading players are shaping the SHM landscape through hardware innovation, analytics-software platforms, service delivery models and global partnerships.

Recent Developments

1. In 2025, a major global infrastructure-services firm unveiled a wireless sensor-network system integrated with machine-learning-based anomaly-detection capabilities for bridge monitoring, enabling live defect detection and alerts. This reflects the trend toward wireless connectivity and AI-driven analytics in SHM.
2. In 2024, a prominent SHM specialist announced a major contract to equip over 100 tunnels in Europe with fiber-optic sensing and cloud-based monitoring platforms, showcasing increasing scale and service-based models for structural assets.

Market Scope

The Vantage Market Research report covers global SHM market from base year 2024 to forecast year 2035, analysing market size, revenue forecasts, CAGR, segmentation by product/offering (hardware, software, services), connectivity/technology (wired, wireless), end-use verticals (civil infrastructure, energy, aerospace/defence, mining, others), and regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa). Competitive landscape, key company profiles, regional insights and market-dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities, challenges) are included.

Market Dynamics

Driver:

The primary driver of the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) market is the growing emphasis on public safety and infrastructure durability. Governments worldwide are investing heavily in maintaining bridges, dams, tunnels, and buildings to prevent catastrophic failures. Additionally, aging infrastructure in developed nations demands advanced monitoring solutions for preventive maintenance. The integration of IoT, AI, and wireless sensor networks enhances data collection accuracy, enabling early fault detection and cost savings in long-term asset management.

Restraint:

High installation and maintenance costs remain a significant restraint for the SHM market. The deployment of sensors, data acquisition systems, and connectivity networks involves substantial upfront investment, making it less feasible for smaller projects or developing regions. Moreover, data management challenges, such as handling large volumes of complex information, and the need for skilled personnel to analyze sensor data, also impede market growth. Compatibility issues between legacy systems and new technologies further limit widespread adoption.

Opportunity:

The emergence of smart infrastructure and digital twin technologies presents lucrative opportunities for the SHM market. Integration with AI-driven predictive analytics and cloud-based platforms allows for real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making. Governments and private entities are focusing on smart city development, creating demand for connected, self-diagnosing infrastructure. Moreover, growing investments in renewable energy projects, including wind and solar farms, open new avenues for SHM applications to ensure equipment efficiency and reduce downtime.

Challenge:

One of the key challenges in the SHM market is ensuring data accuracy and system reliability under varying environmental conditions. Harsh climates, electromagnetic interference, and sensor degradation can lead to inaccurate readings, affecting decision-making. Additionally, the lack of standardization in SHM design and performance benchmarks complicates interoperability among manufacturers. Data security and privacy concerns also arise as monitoring systems become more connected. Overcoming these technical and regulatory barriers is crucial for achieving market scalability.

Market Segmentation

1. By Product/Offering: Hardware; Software; Services
2. By Technology/Connectivity: Wired; Wireless
3. By Vertical/Application: Civil Infrastructure; Energy; Aerospace & Defence; Mining; Others
4. By Region: North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the estimated revenue of the SHM market in 2024?

USD 3.68 billion.

1. What is the projected market size by 2035 and the CAGR from 2025-2035?

Projected size: USD 26.999 billion; CAGR: 19.95%.

1. Which region currently dominates the market and which region is growing fastest?

North America dominates today; Asia Pacific is expected to grow fastest.

1. Which product offering holds the largest share?

Hardware leads currently, though software & services are growing rapidly.

1. What are major drivers of the SHM market?

Ageing infrastructure, smart-city initiatives, IoT sensor growth, regulatory pressures.

1. What major challenges does the market face?

High upfront cost, integration complexity, data-security, lack of standards, skilled workforce.

1. Who are some key players in the market?

COWI A/S, SGS SA, Trimble Inc., Digitexx Data Systems, Acellent Technologies, among others.