Monitoring As Aid To Bridge Management

Contents
Background
BRIME SAMCO Benefits Examples Challenges Opportunities

Monitoring

Future

Summary

Background: BRIME
BRIME Bridge Management in Europe
Fourth Framework Project Develop Framework for a Bridge Management System Considers the elements of a BMS

BRIME: Elements of a BMS

Inventory Condition assessment Structural assessment Predict future condition Select maintenance strategy Prioritised maintenance programme

Background: SAMCO
SAMCO Structural Management and Control
Fifth Framework Thematic Network Part of project on bridge management Focused on monitoring as an aid to bridge management

SAMCO: Role of Monitoring

Four stages of the life cycle of a bridge:
Design Construction In-service (operation) Demolition.

Why Monitor?
Bridges are in a never-ending battle against nature:
Gravity constantly pulling on the structure and A myriad of deterioration mechanisms relentlessly seeking out and exploiting any weakness in the fabric of the bridge.

Increases in the volume and weight of the traffic they are required to carry.

Why Monitor?
Tacoma Narrows Silver Bridge Concorde Overpass Mississippi River Bridge

Design & Construction

Feedback to design codes
Actions Structural behaviour

Check assumptions made in design Long-term behaviour

Design & Construction

Structural response
Accelerometers Load Cells on Cables Strain gauges Anemometers Thermocouples

Environmental

Corrosion monitoring

Corrosion activity Electrical resistance probes Concrete resistivity probes

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In-Service Applications
Detect deterioration Monitor deterioration Monitor repairs Monitor sub-standard bridges

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In-Service: Monitor Deterioration

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Acoustic Monitoring of Tendons

Eastern Half Joint

Pier Support 5

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Pure Technologies

In-Service: Monitor Repairs

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In-Service: Monitor Repairs

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In-Service: Sub-Standard Bridges

Monitoring Appropriate - requirements
No significant distress visible Hidden distress or weakness unlikely to be present Failure is likely to be gradual Monitoring will be meaningful and effective.

Monitoring Appropriate examples

Reinforced concrete with flexural inadequacy Element whose failure would not cause collapse Small span <5m

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Demolition

Loss of stability

Sudden collapse

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Meeting Owners Needs

Owners Requirements Safe Available for use Maintain value Minimise damage to environment Preserve natural resources Monitoring Techniques Optical fibres Lasers Structural Behaviour Environmental Loading Resonant Frequencies

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Challenges
Large number of bridges
Which to monitor

Installation of Monitoring System

During construction
Life of sensors Outdated technology

During service Life

Access problems Lack of control data
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Opportunities
Increasing need Existing technology
Large volumes of data
Data analysis techniques Neural networks

New Technology
Wireless senors Nanotechnology SMART structures

Learn from other fields

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Summary
Monitoring valuable aid to Bridge Engineers Can be applied during all stages of a bridges life Must be directed at owners needs Future
Selection of structures for monitoring New technology Learn from other fields

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