Deflection-based multilevel structural condition assessment of long-span prestressed concrete girder bridges using a connected pipe system. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Junyong; Sun, Zhuo; Wei, Bin; Zhang, Liwen; Zeng, Pan
• Is Part Of: Measurement. Volume 169(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Prestressed concrete girder bridges -- Deflection -- Health monitoring -- Connected pipe system -- Multilevel assessment approach -- Dempster–Shafer evidence theory; Weights and measures -- Periodicals; Measurement -- Periodicals; Measurement; Weights and measures; Periodicals; 530.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2020.108352
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2241

Abstract

Highlights: Real-time deflection in a PSC girder bridge is measured by a connected pipe system. The system provides a structural health monitoring (SHM) solution for girder bridges. The proposed SHM is a deflection-based and multilevel assessment approach. Multilevel evaluation indices for components of measured deflections are established. The results of these components are fused using the Dempster–Shafer evidence theory. Abstract: Several long-span prestressed concrete (PSC) girder bridges have exhibited excessive deflection over time that can affect their normal use and safety. Thus, monitoring the time-dependent deflections of PSC girder bridges is required to ensure a timely warning of deficient bridge conditions. This study measured the deflections of a PSC box-girder bridge using a connected pipe system to provide health monitoring and condition assessment. A deflection-based, multilevel assessment approach was proposed wherein the individual deflection components (traffic-induced, temperature-induced, and long term) were used to evaluate the bridge state. The assessments of each component were fused using the Dempster–Shafer evidence theory to achieve an integrated outcome. Results show that a connected pipe system can accurately monitor the real-time deflection of long-span girder bridges. The proposed multilevel assessment approach makes full use of the structural condition information from the acquired deflection data, demonstrating the effectiveness and practicality of the fusion algorithm.