INTEGRATION OF AN EFFECTIVE SHM SYSTEM IN A MODEL STEEL BRIDGE

摘要

Since 19th century, more than three hundred bridges have collapse all over the world. Engineers for all over the world are trying to stop these catastrophes, implementing systems that can detect with time these kinds of catastrophes. A Structural health monitoring system was implemented in the University of Texas Pan-American. The damage in a model steel bridge has been evaluated using accelerometers and strain gauges. Different damage scenarios have been detected in this system, being able to detect the differences between those states. With the implementation of this effective SHM system, the signals created by the sensors can be read in a securely web domain. These signals are interpreted with different types of algorithms, making easier for the Engineers to detect when the bridge is in a heavy damage state. A finite element model of this steel bridge was created, making possible the simulation of a future state of the bridge. Monte Carlo simulation was implemented in this finite element model. This method allows us to predict the damage severity on the bridge, making it possible to take proper precautions and decisions with time of anticipation. The lifetime of the bridge is detected with the Monte Carlo simulation. This effective SHM system can be implemented in real bridges, detecting with anticipation any kind of irregularity in the bridge.