This paper summarizes the existing inspection content and methods for high-piled wharf, analyzes the deficiencies of the inspection methods, and discusses the basic principle of the structural health monitoring system (SHMs) of high-piled wharf. The optimal sensor placement of the SHMs is studied, and an adaptive genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to optimize the layout of the acceleration sensors. Based on the case analysis of a highpiled wharf is taken for example engineering, it proves that the method can be applied to the SHMs of high-piled wharf.