Monitoring Bridge Performance

Abstract

Researchers and engineers at the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Department of Transportation have been using non-destructive field monitoring to evaluate a variety of bridges in the State. This has been done to answer questions on the performance of existing bridges, refine techniques needed to evaluate different bridge components, and develop approaches that can be used to provide a continuous picture of a bridge's structural integrity. This paper reports on some of the lessons learned in this continuing research. The field monitoring studies have supplemented the regularly scheduled visual inspection program. Without field data, it would be necessary to use simplified, conservative assumptions to define the actual behavior. The field monitoring efforts have resulted in savings to the state by eliminating or reducing the scope of planned renovations and replacements. This paper shows the need and benefits in using non-destructive evaluation to determine structural health.

Development of a long-term monitoring system based on FBG sensors applied to concrete bridges

“…It is an information source of utmost importance concerning the structural performance. Structural health monitoring has evolved to become economically advantageous contributing to a more efficient exploitation of the infrastructures [1][2][3].…”

Post-rehabilitation assessment of a centenary steel bridge through numerical and experimental analysis

“…An incorrect evaluation of the bridge behavior may result on the development of damage in the structure that may lead to its collapse, which is not only associated to economical losses but may also result in the loss of human lives [2]. In this context, bridge field testing has become a powerful mean of obtaining quantifiable information, complementary to the numerical analysis, for the assessment of the structural behavior and the identification of its real condition [3].…”

Structural health monitoring of bridges in the State of Connecticut

“…A continuously operating instrumented structural health monitoring (SHM) system can be used to supplement visual inspections and possibly detect damage in a bridge (DeWolf et al, 2002). The process of determining and assessing the nature of damage in a structure is often referred to as SHM.…”