Case Studies about Finite Element Modeling and Wireless Sensing of Three Pennsylvania Bridges

Abstract

Three Pennsylvanian bridges were studied using finite element and wireless sensor technology. A detailed finite element model of each bridge was created using a commercial software in order to calculate the strains generated by a load that simulates the presence of a standard truck. Pristine and damage scenarios were simulated, and the computed strains were compared to the experimental strains measured with proprietary wireless sensors during a truck test performed by companies not involved in the study presented in this article. The comparison demonstrated the accuracy of the model and the presence of a few non-critical anomalies in terms of load redistribution. In addition, the comparison proved the reliability of the wireless sensing system installed on the bridges, although some drift was observed. The structural monitoring program for the three bridges was also evaluated by processing more than two years of data streamed to a repository.

Keywords

• bridge diagnostics
• wireless sensors
• physics-based structural health monitoring
• strain analysis