Development and implementation of a nondestructive monitoring system on a composite steel box-girder bridge in Connecticut

Chad D. Virkler; John T. DeWolf

doi:10.1117/12.599904

17 May 2005 Development and implementation of a nondestructive monitoring system on a composite steel box-girder bridge in Connecticut

Chad D. Virkler, John T. DeWolf

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5765, Smart Structures and Materials 2005: Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.599904
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The University Of Connecticut, with support and assistance from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, has been involved in the design and implementation of long-term monitoring systems on a network of bridges critical to the State of Connecticut's highway infrastructure. This paper presents a report on the development, implementation and evaluation of the monitoring of a steel box-girder bridge. The bridge is a multi-span, continuous, box girder bridge made up of two steel box-sections that are composite with the deck slab. The bridge is supported on a series of tall concrete columns, one per support. Field investigations have shown that the columns have been subject to cracks that are thought to be due to torsion. Two spans in a three-span continuous segment are currently being monitored using 8 accelerometers, 8 temperature sensors and 6 tilt meters. An extensive analysis has been conducted to evaluate the test data. There have been large temperature gradients due to both annual climate changes and due to the position of the sun with respect to the bridge. The data has also been used to develop a basis for long-term nondestructive evaluation. This is based primarily on the development of a vibration signature. The field data has also been compared with results from an extensive finite element analysis. The longterm goal of this project has been to characterize the bridge behavior and then to use this in the nondestructive evaluation of the performance over multi-year periods.

Citation Download Citation

Chad D. Virkler and John T. DeWolf "Development and implementation of a nondestructive monitoring system on a composite steel box-girder bridge in Connecticut", Proc. SPIE 5765, Smart Structures and Materials 2005: Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems, (17 May 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.599904

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available