Sensory monitoring of bridge structures: design and implementation

Abstract

Abstract This paper is an attempt at a holistic and synthetic presentation of the key theoretical and technical aspects of the sensory monitoring of bridges during their building and operational use. The authors – on the basis of their many-year investigations of bridges and their experience gained through participation in domestic and international research projects – undertook an attempt to make the domain knowledge relating to the sensory monitoring of bridges more specific, structured and uniform. Comprehensive methodological framework for monitoring bridges by means of electronic instrumentation systems has been created; offering a step-by-step structured approach to carrying out monitoring tasks and achieving their goals. Comparison of the sensory monitoring with the inspection-based monitoring of bridge condition is presented, taking into account load-independent and load dependent diagnostic methods. Qualification of bridges demanding sensory monitoring as well as taxonomy of sensory monitoring systems are described, together with bridge performance indicators. Developed procedures for the design of monitoring systems architecture and functionality, selection of measuring technologies, implementation and operation of sensory monitoring systems are presented, taking into account problems relating to the acquisition, processing, analysis of measurement results and their use in the evaluation of technical and operating parameters of a bridge.