Integrated Bridge Structural Health Monitoring System: Fid-Bau Portal

Integrated Bridge Structural Health Monitoring System

Elmi, Mohsen / Ghafory-Ashtiany, Mohsen / Bahar, Omid

In this paper, a comprehensive and integrated structural health monitoring system, called the Integrated Bridge Health Monitoring Tool (IBHMT), is introduced. The IBHMT toolbox consists of three main steps: visual-based assessment, spectral-based assessment, and dynamic-based assessment (model updating). In this toolbox, the accuracy of the structural health assessment increases gradually. Therefore, in the first step, visual inspection is done using inspection tools, and in the second step, assessment is performed using as-built drawing to construct a simplified model of the bridge under service and ultimate loads. In the third step, an actual seismic evaluation model is also employed. For the model updating process in the third step, analytical software engines such as CSiBridge, SAP, and ETABS are connected using an Application Programming Interface to perform structural analysis and determining mechanical parameters. In addition, a Graphical User Interface has been developed using MATLAB programming, allowing users to easily enter information related to various stages of structural health monitoring into the database and visualize the output results after automated data processing. This toolbox includes features such as integration, open-source capability, object-oriented programming, user-friendly interface, etc. These aspects, along with other capabilities of the toolbox, have been demonstrated through an example in this paper. The objective of this toolbox is to provide a platform that promotes the continuity of the current operational methods and optimizes the costs of maintenance, inspection cycles, and bridge rehabilitation. The IBHMT can be effectively utilized for the integrated and optimal management of concrete bridges by decision-makers and bridge owners.