Operational deformations in long-span bridges

Long-span bridges deform quasi-statically and dynamically under a range of operational conditions including wind, traffic and thermal loads, in varying patterns, at different timescales and with different amplitudes. While external loads and internal forces can only rarely be measured, there are well-developed technologies for measuring deformations and their time and space derivatives. Performance data can be checked against design limits and used for validating conceptual and numerical models which can in turn be used to estimate the external loads and internal forces. Changes in performance patterns and load–response relationships can also be used directly as a diagnostic tool, but excessive deformations themselves are also a concern in terms of serviceability. This paper describes application of a range of measurement technologies, focusing on response to extreme loads, for suspension bridges over the River Tamar (with 335 m main span) and Humber (with 1410 m man span). The effects of vehicular, thermal and wind loads on these very different structures are compared, showing that apart from rare extreme traffic and wind loads, temporal and spatial temperature variations dominate quasi-static response. Observations of deformation data and sensor performance for the two bridges are used to highlight limitations and redundancies in the instrumentation.     

大型桥梁健康监测研究动态与发展趋势

大型桥梁健康监测是近些年来的研究热点之一。本文首先阐述了桥梁健康监测的内涵及意义,对健康监测系统的组成做了总结,然后从传感器的优化布设、信号处理与信息提取技术、损伤识别技术和安全评估方面对研究现状做了综述,最后针对目前存在的问题指出了未来的研究方向。     

Structural health monitoring of a cable-stayed bridge with Bayesian neural networks

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in permanent observation of the dynamic behaviour of bridges for long-term monitoring purpose. This is due not only to the ageing of a lot of structures, but also for dealing with the increasing complexity of new bridges. The long-term monitoring of bridges produces a huge quantity of data that need to be effectively processed. For this purpose, there has been a growing interest on the application of soft computing methods. In particular, this work deals with the applicability of Bayesian neural networks for the identification of damage of a cable-stayed bridge. The selected structure is a real bridge proposed as benchmark problem by the Asian-Pacific Network of Centers for Research in Smart Structure Technology (ANCRiSST). They shared data coming from the long-term monitoring of the bridge with the structural health monitoring community in order to assess the current progress on damage detection and identification methods with a full-scale example. The data set includes vibration data before and after the bridge was damaged, so they are useful for testing new approaches for damage detection. In the first part of the paper, the Bayesian neural network model is discussed; then in the second part, a Bayesian neural network procedure for damage detection has been tested. The proposed method is able to detect anomalies on the behaviour of the structure, which can be related to the presence of damage. In order to obtain a confirmation of the obtained results, in the last part of the paper, they are compared with those obtained by using a traditional approach for vibration-based structural identification.     

Structural system identification of cable-stayed bridges with observability techniques

Cable-stayed bridges are highly statically redundant, light and flexible structures. This complexity highlights the role of the structural system identification (SSI) method in the calibration of the actual properties of the simplified models of these structures. This study proposes the first application of observability techniques to SSI of cable-stayed bridges. This method enables to define which subset of actual structural variables should be measured on site to identify mechanical properties, such as Young's modulus, area and inertia, or stiffnesses (EA and EI) of deck, pylon and stay cables. The effects of the inclination and inertia of the stay cables and the existence of pylon and deck cracking in the observability of different cable-stayed bridges are studied. The results obtained are validated by the models of actual cable-stayed bridges.     

大型桥梁结构智能健康监测系统集成技术研究

首先分析研究了桥梁健康监测系统的各个子系统的功能、特点、实现方法与硬软件系统,研究了完成桥梁健康监测任务对各个子系统协同工作的要求。提出了以LabW indows/LabVIEW为桥梁健康监测系统的核心软件,由它“指挥”、调用和驱动各个子系统的运行和数据的交互与通讯;以数据管理子系统的数据库作为桥梁健康监测系统的中心数据库,它不仅存储桥梁结构及其监测数据的全部信息,同时所有的数据交互均通过该数据库完成。建议采用B rower/Server系统模式将桥梁结构健康监测的各子系统相互结合,建立基于网络平台的开放式的实时在线智能健康监测系统。最后,为一座实际的三塔斜拉桥集成了一套健康监测系统。     

Application of singular spectrum analysis to structural monitoring and damage diagnosis of bridges

Singular spectrum analysis (SSA) is a novel technique and has proven to be a powerful tool for time series data analysis. Through singular value decomposition of Hankel matrix data, the time series of data can be decomposed into several simple, independent and identifiable components from singular values and singular vectors. It has already been widely applied to process climatic, meteorological, geophysical and economic data. In this paper, we demonstrate that the coupling degree of the 1st and 2nd singular values in SSA contains useful indications on the feature and composition of the analysed signal. The proposed method is successfully applied to the monitoring of structure, such as damage detection of the simulated dynamic system, experimental steel frame, bridge foundation scouring and pier settlement in the laboratory and on-site bridge monitoring during typhoon strike. The proposed algorithm is simple and suitable for structural health monitoring in the field.     

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.     

Integration of structural health monitoring in a system performance based life-cycle bridge management framework

In this paper, an approach for integrating the information obtained from structural health monitoring in a life-cycle bridge management framework is proposed. The framework is developed on the basis of life-cycle system performance concepts that are also presented in this paper. The performance of the bridge is quantified by incorporating prior knowledge and information obtained from structural health monitoring using Bayesian updating concepts. This performance is predicted in the future using extreme value statistics. Advanced modelling tools and techniques are used for the lifetime reliability computations, including incremental nonlinear finite element analyses, quadratic response surface modelling using design of experiments concepts, and Latin hypercube sampling, among other techniques. The methodology is illustrated on an existing bridge in the state of Wisconsin.     

Development of an integrated structural health monitoring system for bridge structures in operational conditions

This paper presents an overview of development of an integrated structural health monitoring system. The integrated system includes vibration and guided-wave based structural health monitoring. It integrates the real-time heterogeneous sensor data acquiring system, data analysis and interpretation, physical-based numerical simulation of complex structural system under operational conditions and structural evaluation. The study is mainly focused on developing: integrated sensor technology, integrated structural damage identification with operational loads monitoring, and integrated structural evaluation with results from system identification. Numerical simulation and its implementation in laboratory show that the system is effective and reliable to detect local damage and global conditions of bridge structures.     

Critical issues,condition assessment and monitoring of heavy movable structures: emphasis on movable bridges

In this paper, a relatively less studied class of structures is presented based on the research conducted on Florida's movable bridges over the last several years. Movable bridges consist of complex structural, mechanical and electrical systems that provide versatility to these bridges, but at the same time, create intermittent operational and maintenance challenges. Movable bridges have been designed and constructed for some time; however, there are fewer studies in the literature on movable bridges as compared to other bridge types. In addition, none of these studies provide a comprehensive documentation of issues related to the condition of movable bridge populations in conjunction with possible monitoring applications specific to these bridges. This paper characterises and documents these issues related to movable bridges considering both the mechanical and structural components. Considerations for designing a monitoring system for movable bridges are also presented based on inspection reports and expert opinions. The design and implementation of a monitoring system for a representative bascule bridge are presented along with long-term monitoring data. Various movable bridge characteristics such as opening/closing torque, bridge balance and friction are shown since these are critical for maintenance applications on mechanical components. Finally, the impact of environmental effects (such as wind and temperature) on bridge mechanical characteristics is demonstrated by analysing monitoring data for more than 1000 opening/closing events.     

Fatigue analysis of long-span suspension bridges under multiple loading: Case study

Long-span suspension bridges are often subject to multiple types of dynamic loads, especially those located in wind-prone regions and carrying both trains and road vehicles. Fatigue assessment shall be performed to ensure the safety and functionality of the bridges. This paper proposes a framework for fatigue analysis of a long-span suspension bridge under multiple loading by integrating computer simulation with structural health monitoring system. By taking the Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong as an example, a computationally efficient engineering approach is first proposed for dynamic stress analysis of the bridge under railway, highway and wind loading. The fatigue-critical locations are then determined for key bridge components, and databases of the dynamic stress responses at the critical locations are established. The time histories of dynamic stresses induced by individual loading during the design life of the bridge are generated based on the databases. The corresponding stress time histories due to the combined action of multiple loading are also compiled. Finally, fatigue analysis is performed to compute the cumulative fatigue damage over the design life of 120 years. The results indicate that it is necessary to consider the combined effect of multiple loading in the fatigue analysis of long-span suspension bridges.     

桥梁健康监测研究及发展趋势

回顾了桥梁健康监测的由来，阐述了桥梁健康监测的概念和监测系统的组成，介绍了桥梁健康监测的现状和最新研究方法，对将来的发展亦做了展望。     

Influence of some factors on the aerodynamic behavior of long-span suspension bridges

As the span length of suspension bridges increases, the diameter of cables and thus the wind load acting on them, the nonlinear wind-structure interaction and the spatial non-uniformity of wind speed (including the vertical and horizontal variations) all increase consequently, which may have unnegligible influence on the aerostatic and aerodynamic behavior of long-span suspension bridges. In this paper, the models of aerostatic and aerodynamic forces are established, in which the nonlinear wind-structure interaction and the spatial non-uniformity of wind speed are both considered. By taking the Runyang Bridge over the Yangtze River as example, effects of the nonlinear wind-structure interaction, wind speed spatial non-uniformity, and the cable's wind load on the aerostatic and aerodynamic behavior of the bridge are investigated analytically. The results show that the aerostatic behavior is significantly influenced by these factors, but for the aerodynamic stability, it is greatly influenced by the nonlinear wind-structure interaction and the horizontal variation of wind speed, and the other factors have no influence on it.     

钢箱梁焊接细节基于长期监测数据的疲劳可靠性评估:疲劳可靠度指标

提出基于长期监测数据的钢箱梁焊接细节疲劳可靠度的评估方法,并以润扬大桥悬索桥和斜拉桥钢箱梁顶板-U型肋焊接细节为对象开展应用研究。首先,建立疲劳损伤极限状态方程并讨论方程中各个参数的概率分布特性,在此基础上,采用最优化方法进行疲劳可靠度的求解,得到疲劳可靠度指标随服役时间增长的变化规律和日循环次数Nd的随机性对可靠度的影响。最后重点研究疲劳荷载效应增长对可靠度的影响,并据此提出对大桥日常运营管理的建议。结果表明:①将Nd作为随机变量处理是偏安全的,且Nd的随机性对斜拉桥焊接细节可靠度影响要较悬索桥更为显著;②悬索桥焊接细节的疲劳可靠度明显低于斜拉桥;③考虑疲劳荷载效应的增长会显著减小两桥焊接细节的疲劳可靠度;④为了得到钢箱梁焊接细节在服役期内的疲劳可靠度的准确评估,对其进行长期的应变监测是必要的。     

Investigation concerning structural health monitoring of an instrumented cable-stayed bridge

In Hong Kong, a sophisticated long-term structural health monitoring system has been devised by the Highways Department of HKSAR Government to monitor the structural performance and health conditions of three cable-supported bridges. On-structure instrumentation systems for two new long-span bridges are also being implemented. The implementation of these monitoring systems highlights the necessity for developing a monitoring-based structural health evaluation paradigm for long-span bridges. This paper describes the research directed towards this that has been conducted in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Taking the instrumented cable-stayed Ting Kau Bridge as a paradigm, the research covers the development of an index system and a database system for monitoring data management, the modelling of the environmental variability of measured modal properties with the intention of eliminating environmental effects in vibration-based damage detection, and the feasibility of using measured modal properties from the deployed vibration sensors for structural damage identification.     

Structural health monitoring of underground facilities – Technological issues and challenges

Driven by the scarcity of land, many urban planners are seriously considering underground space to meet residential, commercial, transportation, industrial and municipal needs of their cities. Besides saving land resources, the benefits offered by underground structures include safety against earthquakes and hurricanes, and freedom from urban noise. However, owing to their unique design and construction, they call for rigorous structural health monitoring (SHM) programmes during construction and operation, especially when important structures are located nearby on the ground surface. Their continuous monitoring can serve to mitigate potential hazards, ensure better performance and facilitate in-depth understanding of the overall structural behaviour. This paper addresses major technological issues and challenges associated with structural monitoring of underground structures. A detailed review of the available sensor technologies and methods for comprehensive monitoring is presented, with special emphasis on conditions encountered underground. Practical benefits arising out of such monitoring are also highlighted, with the help of several real-life case studies involving underground structures.     

Frontier of continuous structural health monitoring system for short & medium span bridges and condition assessment

It is becoming an important social problem to make maintenance and rehabilitation of existing short and medium span(10-20 m) bridges because there are a huge amount of short and medium span bridges in service in the world. The kernel of such bridge management is to develop a method of safety(condition) assessment on items which include remaining life and load carrying capacity. Bridge health monitoring using information technology and sensors is capable of providing more accurate knowledge of bridge performance than traditional strategies. The aim of this paper is to introduce a state-of-the-art on not only a rational bridge health monitoring system incorporating with the information and communication technologies for lifetime management of existing short and medium span bridges but also a continuous data collecting system designed for bridge health monitoring of mainly short and medium span bridges. In this paper, although there are some useful monitoring methods for short and medium span bridges based on the qualitative or quantitative information, mainly two advanced structural health monitoring systems are described to review and analyse the potential of utilizing the long term health monitoring in safety assessment and management issues for short and medium span bridge. The first is a special designed mobile in-situ loading device(vehicle) for short and medium span road bridges to assess the structural safety(performance) and derive optimal strategies for maintenance using reliability based method. The second is a long term health monitoring method by using the public buses as part of a public transit system (called bus monitoring system) to be applied mainly to short and medium span bridges, along with safety indices, namely, “characteristic deflection” which is relatively free from the influence of dynamic disturbances due to such factors as the roughness of the road surface, and a structural anomaly parameter.     

基于计算机视觉的结构系统识别

结构系统识别是土木工程结构健康监测的重要组成部分,传统的结构系统识别通过有线或无线的测量系统进行数据采集,布置传感器以及数据采集设备的过程繁琐、费时。为了提高结构系统识别的效率,提出一种无需人工靶点、基于计算机视觉的非接触式测量方法,以消费级相机为采集设备,采用基于点匹配的特征光流技术实现目标的运动跟踪,获得目标的位移时程,进而实现结构系统识别。使用消费级摄像机对振动台试验中的结构模型进行测量,与传统拉线式位移传感器的测量结果进行对比。研究结果表明,采用基于计算机视觉的非接触式测量方法,在频域中具有较高的测量精度,并且能够准确识别出结构的自振频率、振型等动力特性,具有良好的应用前景。     

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.     

Structural health monitoring of innovative bridge decks

For more than a century, important civil engineering structures such as bridges, high-rise buildings, dams and marine platforms have contained iron or steel as the reinforcement for concrete or wood. The useful lives of such structures have often been severely limited by the corrosion of this ferrous component. Much thought has been given in recent years to constructing structures that are lighter, stronger and non-corrosive. These innovative structures are new and for these to be accepted by the engineering community monitoring is mandatory. ISIS Canada has been developing such structures and monitoring them. In this paper, innovative bridge decks that have been implemented are described.