GPS monitoring of a steel box girder viaduct

Structural performance monitoring of bridges has increased as major infrastructure ages and is required to sustain loads that are significantly greater than those predicted during design. Structural stiffness and/or mass distribution can change over the lifespan of a bridge structure. Resulting changes in profile or resonant frequency provide key indicators of change, and may identify structural defects. Field tests using GPS for monitoring relatively small deformations were carried out on a steel box girder viaduct bridge in the UK. The configuration consisted of five GPS receivers located at key locations on the viaduct and two reference GPS receivers. GPS data was collected at either 10 Hz or 20 Hz and post-processed using proprietary software, along with appropriate filtering and spectral analysis. Three main frequencies were clearly detected by the GPS in the vertical component. A previously reported frequency of approximately 0.56 Hz was identified along with two other frequencies. The peak vertical deflections lie in the range of ± 50 mm, while lateral and longitudinal deflections of much smaller magnitude – in the order of a few mm – are also measured. The use of GPS leads to readily obtained and useful engineering data for continued monitoring of structures.     

Health monitoring of flexural steel structures based on distributed fibre optic sensors

In our previous study, a distributed long-gauge fibre optic sensing system (with the ability to obtain effective average strain, or macro-strain, distributions) for practical adaptation in civil structural health monitoring was developed and verified. The present paper is devoted to proposing an integrated health monitoring scheme for elastic beam-like structures, where flexure dominates structural responses, based on static testing and measurements using the developed sensors. A series of experimental investigations on steel beams with different levels of damage are first carried out. The static strain measurements from distributed sensors are characterised and some concerns on the data processing and feature extraction are discussed. On the basis of the extracted features, structural health monitoring (SHM) investigations are deployed in three parts: damage identification with no requirement for a structural analytical model, parametric estimation based on finite element (FE) models, and evaluation of structural global behaviour. By comparing to traditional transducers such as linear variable displacement transducers (LVDTs) and foil ‘point’ strain gauges, the ability and ascendancy of the sensors developed here for SHM purposes are verified. A comprehensive health monitoring strategy for steel flexural structures based on the distributed strain sensors array is proposed finally.     

Measuring and modelling the thermal performance of the Tamar Suspension Bridge using a wireless sensor network

A study on the thermal performance of the Tamar Suspension Bridge deck in Plymouth, UK, is presented in this paper. Ambient air, suspension cable, deck and truss temperatures were acquired using a wired sensor system. Deck extension data were acquired using a two-hop wireless sensor network. Empirical models relating the deck extension to various combinations of temperatures were derived and compared. The most accurate model, which used all the four temperature variables, predicted the deck extension with an accuracy of 99.4%. Time delays ranging from 10 to 66 min were identified between the daily cycles of the air temperature and of the structural temperatures and deck extension. However, accounting for these delays in the temperature–extension models did not improve the models' prediction accuracy. The results of this study suggest that bridge design recommendations are based on overly simplistic assumptions which could result in significant errors in the estimated deck movement, especially for temperature extremes. These findings aim to help engineers better understand the important aspect of thermal performance of steel bridges. This paper also presents a concise study on the effective use of off-the-shelf wireless technology to support structural health monitoring of bridges.     

预应力混凝土连续刚构桥的施工监控

针对连续刚构桥梁的施工监控,论述了桥梁施工监控的目的和意义,通过对桥梁主跨模拟施工及运营阶段的结构分析,结合现场实测数据,对桥梁主跨的位移、内力、温度进行监控,以指导桥梁施工。     

Vibration characteristics identification of ultra-long cables of a cable-stayed bridge in normal operation based on half-year monitoring data

Abstract

The Sutong Bridge with a span of 1088?m is supported by 272 cables, whose lengths range from 152.85?m to 576.77?m (the longest in the world). The half-year vibration acceleration data of two cables from structural health monitoring system (SHMS) is analysed, in conjunction with the wind field data, weather data and vehicle data to explore and three types of cable vibrations. The large-scale cable vibration is mainly rain-wind-induced vibrations (RWIV) when the wind direction lies in an angular range of 40°–80° relative to the cable axis, and the bridge-deck wind velocity is 4–20?m/s. The ultra-long cable also experiences in-plane vibrations, which satisfy many characteristics of vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs). Cable VIV occurs only when the bridge-deck wind velocity 4–8?m/s, with the frequency ranging from 9.5?Hz to 10?Hz. The daily small-amplitude vibration of the cables and steel girder is mainly induced by the passage of heavy trucks. There exists a positive correlation between the number of heavy trucks and the vibration level. Based on the characteristics and occurrence probabilities of these three types of cable vibrations, corresponding measures are suggested for the maintenance of ultra-long cables.     

Deployment of a dense hybrid wireless sensing system for bridge assessment

Discussed in this paper is the deployment of a dense wireless sensor system on a short span integral abutment bridge superstructure located in St. Lawrence County, New York. The Wireless Sensor Solution (WSS) is designed specifically for diagnostic bridge monitoring providing independent conditioning for accelerometers and strain transducers. During deployment, strain measurements are obtained in real-time under ambient environmental and traffic loading. Strain transducers are placed at various locations along the girders, including the top and bottom flanges of a heavily instrumented interior girder at the mid-span and the abutment ends where the neutral axis location, section modulus, and girder moments are obtained. Results from the strain data analysis aid in quantifying the bridge response; notably, detection of end fixity, load distribution, and composite action between the girders and bridge deck. The measured responses are illustrated to propose a deterioration profile based on the level of capacity and demand.     

Response and fatigue assessment of high speed aluminium hulls using short-term wireless hull monitoring

This paper proposes a wireless hull monitoring system that is quick to install as a short-term monitoring solution. Hull measurements have the potential to increase the accuracy of ship response predictions at a lower cost than computer simulation or towing tank models. The performance of the wireless monitoring system is validated on the all-aluminium United States Coast Guard Response Boat-Medium. The system is designed to measure ship motions and hull strain responses during high-speed operations and in harsh weather conditions. An analytical framework is developed to extract sea states from inertial measurements recorded at the ship centre-of-gravity and in a bow compartment. To assess the fatigue life of the hull during harsh weather operations, response amplitude operators (RAOs) are empirically derived to map sea states to root mean square accelerations and strain cycles measured from a high-stress hull element. A RAO that maps sea state to consumed fatigue in the hull, so termed a consumed fatigue operator (CFO), is presented which can assist in the management of an asset over its life cycle. The study reveals reliable hull monitoring during a one-week sea trial. RAO and CFO fit to hull response data are proven to provide accurate estimates.     

Experimental monitoring of the strengthening construction of a segmental box girder bridge and field testing of external prestressing tendons anchorage

Prestressed concrete segmental box girder bridges are composed of short concrete segments that are either precast or cast in situ and then joined together by longitudinally post-tensioning internal, external, or mixed tendons. The objectives of this study are to monitor the construction process of the external prestressing tendons to strengthen the bridge structure and perform a field load test to measure the strain and the deflection of the anchorage devices of the external prestressing tendons to determine the state of these devices after tension forces are applied. The monitoring process of the external prestressing tendons construction includes inspecting the cracks in the diaphragm anchorage and the deviation block devices before the tension forces are applied to the external tendons; measuring the deformation of the steel deviation cross beam during the tension process; measuring the deformation of the box girder after different levels of tension forces are applied; measuring the elongation of the external tendons in each level of the tension; and measuring the natural frequency of the external tendons after the tension process is complete. The results of the monitoring process show that the measured values of the deformation, the elongation, and the natural frequency meet the requirements. Therefore, there is no damage during the construction and the tensioning of the external prestressing tendons. A field load test is performed to the anchorage beam, the steel deviation block devices, and the steel deviation cross beam. The field load test results of the anchorage devices show that the values of the strains, the stresses, and the deflection are less than the respective allowable limit values in the requirements. Therefore, the anchorage devices have sufficient strength, and the working state is good after the tension forces are applied to the external prestressing tendons.     

大跨桥梁索塔环境振动测点布置研究

本文探讨了大跨桥梁索塔有限元模型在传感器振动测点布置方面的应用,首先对索塔有限元模型进行模态分析,采用以MAC矩阵的非对角元素为目标函数,通过增加或减少测点自由度使MAC矩阵的非对角元素趋于最小来确定索塔环境振动测点位置的最优布置。然后,运用试验室斜拉桥缩尺模型索塔不同布点方案的测试结果来验证索塔振动测点布置的有效性。研究结果表明：由缩尺模型桥的索塔不同布点方案测得的试验数据得出的测点布置和有限元计算得出的测点布置结果是一致的,因此,从模型试验的角度验证了根据有限元分析结果得出的索塔环境振动测点布置是有效的。     

某大跨度钢结构人行天桥的振动特性分析与研究

针对某大跨度钢结构人行天桥出现的振动问题,对该人行天桥进行了全桥动力测试,利用有限元分析软件SAP2000建立该结构的有限元模型,利用基于实测数据的频谱分析以及模态分析的方法对其出现的振动问题进行分析,为同类结构的动力特性研究提供参考.此外,改变了以往在此类问题中仅考虑行人对振动产生影响的局限性,分别从通行行人及通行车辆这两个因素对该天桥振动的原因进行了深入分析,从而找到了造成该天桥产生实测振动特性的主要原因,并对结构出现过大侧向振动给出了合理解释.相关信息可为后继结构的加固改造工作提供参考,并进一步提出了结构改造措施与建议.     

Damage assessment of laminated composite beam structures using damage locating vector (DLV) method

In this paper, the damage locating vector (DLV) method using normalized cumulative energy (nce) is employed to locate multiple damage sites in laminated composite beam structures. Numerical simulations of two laminated composite beams are employed to investigate several damage scenarios in which the degradation of elements is modeled by the reduction in the longitudinal Young’s modulus and transverse Young’s modulus of beam layers. The results show that the DLV method gives good performance for this kind of structure.     

Prediction of fatigue crack growth in steel bridge components using acoustic emission

The correlation of acoustic emission (AE) signal characteristics with crack growth behavior is of paramount importance to structural health monitoring and prognosis for in-service steel bridges. Relationships between AE absolute energy rate and crack growth rate are developed and presented. The relationships are based on experimental investigations intended to represent conditions found for in-service steel bridges. The approach presented is independent of the stress intensity range, which may simplify the life prediction procedure because stress intensity range is not always well defined in actual bridge components. Fatigue tests were performed to detect AE signals from fatigue cracks using compact tension (CT) specimens made of ASTM A572G50. Noise induced AE signals were filtered through a combined approach involving Swansong II Filters and investigation of waveforms, which are appropriate for data filtering and interpretation of field tests. Based on the experimental data and presented model, procedures for predicting crack extension and remaining fatigue life were carried out. Agreement between the predicted cracks and actual cracks verified the presented model and procedure. The study indicates that AE absolute energy rate may be more suitable than count rate in fatigue life prediction for the material of interest.     

Structural health monitoring of a steel stringer bridge with area sensing

The Federal Highway Administration Long-term Bridge Performance Programme initiated an International Bridge Study by selecting a steel stringer bridge as a benchmark structure for structural health monitoring. As a part of this programme, the authors studied the application of the Long-Gauge Fibre Bragg Grating (LG-FBG) sensors on this bridge. This paper aims at illustrating the LG-FBG-related state-of-the-art technologies by taking the bridge as the test bed. (1) The concept of the LG-FBG sensor for area sensing is presented. Most fibre optic sensors measure point strains for local monitoring. In contrast, the developed LG-FBG area sensor has a long gauge (e.g. 1–2 m), and it can be connected to each other to make a sensor array for distributed strain measuring; (2) spectral analyses of the macro-strain time histories are performed to identify structural frequencies, and the results are compared with those estimated from acceleration measurements; (3) the neutral axis position of the girder of the investigated bridge is estimated from the recorded macro-strain time histories, and the results are compared with those from static truck tests and (4) a modal macro-strain-based damage index is applied for damage detection of the steel stringer bridge.     

基于长期实测数据的大跨悬索桥扁平钢箱梁温差特性研究

温度应力是影响大跨桥梁结构全寿命性能的主要因素之一,合理的温度场分布模型是准确计算结构温度应力的基础。基于润扬大桥悬索桥结构健康监测系统的监测数据,详细分析润扬大桥悬索桥扁平钢箱梁为期一年的实测温度结果,得出横截面不同位置温度随时间的变化规律,提出扁平钢箱梁同一横截面上不同测点之间温差的概率分布模型,确定不同横截面具有一定重现期的温差标准值,总结用于温度应力计算的横截面温差模式。分析结果表明:①扁平钢箱梁的温度场具有明显的季节特征;②横截面各个测点之间的正温差和负温差均可以通过Weibull分布函数和正态分布函数的加权和来描述其概率分布;③同一横截面上不同测点之间有不同的温差标准值,但不同截面对应位置的温差标准值十分接近;④扁平钢箱梁顶板存在三种不同的横向温差模式。研究结果可为大跨悬索桥全寿命评估提供参考。     

Calibrating a high-fidelity finite element model of a highway bridge using a multi-variable sensitivity-based optimisation approach

This article presents the implementation of a calibration procedure for a finite element (FE) model of a state highway bridge using sensory data measured on the bridge. The objective is to modify the high-fidelity FE model of the bridge so that its dynamic behaviour matches, as closely as possible, that of the bridge under analysis. The bridge under investigation is a steel–concrete composite bridge that is instrumented with a wireless monitoring system to collect its vibration response under ambient vibrations. A detailed three-dimensional FE model of the bridge was developed to represent the bridge as realistically as possible. The detailed modelling can minimise the amount of uncertainty in the model and the number of parameters that require updating. A multi-variable sensitivity-based objective function is used to minimise the error between the experimentally measured and the FE-computed modal characteristics. An iterative optimisation approach has been undertaken to find the optimum structural parameters of the FE model that minimise the selected objective function. It is shown that developing a high-fidelity FE model may help simplify the model calibration process for a large structure, which is contrary to conventional thinking on the subject.     

GPS在南浦大桥健康检测中的应用

为了了解和掌握南浦大桥结构健康状况,在南浦大桥主跨两端、主跨中央部位安装了4个GPS观测台,并组织了4次全天候连续观测,用于分析桥梁主跨昼夜变化规律、季节性变化规律。试测表明南浦大桥主跨在高程方向的变形和桥身长度变化与气温有较强的相关性。     

Reliability assessment of cable-stayed bridges based on structural health monitoring techniques

This paper presents the reliability analysis approach of long-span cable-stayed bridges based on structural health monitoring (SHM) technology. First, the framework of structural reliability analysis is recognised based on SHM. The modelling approach of vehicle loads and environmental actions and the extreme value of responses based on SHM are proposed, and then models of vehicle and environmental actions and the extreme value of inner force are statistically obtained using the monitored data of a cable-stayed bridge. For the components without FBG strain sensors, the effects and models (extreme values) of dead load, unit temperature load, and wind load of the bridge can be calculated by the updated finite element model and monitored load models. The bearing capacity of a deteriorated structure can be obtained by the updated finite element model or durability analysis. The reliability index of the bridge's critical components (stiffening girder in this study) can be estimated by using a reliability analysis method, e.g. first order reliability method (FORM) based on the models of extreme value of response and ultimate capacity of the structure. Finally, the proposed approach is validated by a practical long-span cable-stayed bridge with the SHM system. In the example, reliability indices of the bridge's stiffening girder at the stage after repair and replacement after 18 years of operation, and the damaged stage are evaluated.     

润扬大桥悬索桥动力特性分析与实测变异性研究

对我国首座采用刚性中央扣代替短吊索设计的润扬大桥悬索桥进行了动力特性分析与实测变异性研究。首先,通过建立三维空间有限元模型,计算了30种不同伸缩缝刚度下的动力特性参数,研究了悬索桥动力特性的边界敏感性;其次,对基于环境激励的桥面模态试验分析结果以及结构健康监测系统获取的不同时期动力特性参数进行了分析,重点研究了通车前后动力特性参数的变异性,指出了部分振型自振频率发生较大变化的原因。研究结果表明:悬索桥动力特性具有较强的边界敏感性,伸缩缝刚度的变化能够引起部分动力特性参数发生较大的变化。设置中央扣后悬索桥一阶反对称振型自振频率边界敏感性增大。在对悬索桥的动力特性进行精确分析时,主梁两端边界条件不容忽视。研究成果对同类大跨度悬索桥的设计和安全评估具有重要的参考价值。     

结构健康监测和可靠性评估

对美国最大跨度桁架桥中的主要桁架构件以及整个结构系统的可靠性进行评估。根据构件和系统的可靠性指标,可以采用随机方法评估大跨桥的安全水平。然而,大多数旧的大跨桥是基于允许应力设计的,其可靠性不可能被保证。本研究的可靠性分析基于对恒荷载、活荷载和风载分布的评估。通过收集大量的输入和响应数据,对大桥进行长期结构健康监测。根据外部荷载影响的模式和大小,长期监测数据清楚揭示了不同结构的性能。案例显示,采用传统的分析方法难以确定由于温度引起的结构响应。为探讨温度对结构的影响以及在可靠性评估中考虑长期监测数据的作用,也对温度引起的响应进行分析。研究显示：温度导致的响应对整个系统的可靠性具有明显的影响。