This paper addresses the problems of effective in situ measurement of the real-time strain for bridge weigh in motion in reinforced concrete bridge structures through the use of optical fiber sensor systems. By undertaking a series of tests, coupled with dynamic loading, the performance of fiber Bragg grating-based sensor systems with various amplification techniques were investigated. In recent years, structural health monitoring (SHM) systems have been developed to monitor bridge deterioration, to assess load levels and hence extend bridge life and safety. Conventional SHM systems, based on measuring strain, can be used to improve knowledge of the bridge’s capacity to resist loads but generally give no information on the causes of any increase in stresses. Therefore, it is necessary to find accurate sensors capable of capturing peak strains under dynamic load and suitable methods for attaching these strain sensors to existing and new bridge structures. Additionally, it is important to ensure accurate strain transfer between concrete and steel, adhesives layer, and strain sensor. The results show the benefits in the use of optical fiber networks under these circumstances and their ability to deliver data when conventional sensors cannot capture accurate strains and/or peak strains.

Bridge weigh-in-motion (B-WIM) systems provide a non-destructive means of gathering traffic loading information by using an existing bridge as a weighing scale to determine the weights of vehicles passing over. In this research critical locations for sensors for the next-generation B-WIM were determined from a full 3D explicit finite element analysis (FEA) model. Although fiber optic sensors (FOS) have become increasingly popular in SHM systems there are currently no commercially available fiber optic WIM systems available. The FEA in this research facilitated the development of the first ever full fiber optic B-WIM and its potential has been demonstrated with the site installation of this system. The system combined nothing-on-the-road axle detection and alternative methods of measuring strain at the supports. The system was installed on a 20-m span beam and slab RC bridge in Northern Ireland and the results presented in this paper confirm the suitability of FOS in providing the clear defined peaks required for accurate axle detection in B-WIM.

This paper presents a contactless multi-point displacement measurement system using multiple synchronized wireless cameras. Our system makes use of computer vision techniques to perform displacement calculations, which can be used to provide a valuable insight into the structural condition and service behaviour of bridges under live loading. The system outlined in this paper provides a low cost durable solution which is rapidly deployable in the field. The architecture of this system can be expanded to include up to ten wireless vision sensors, addressing the limitation of current existing solutions limited in scope by their inability to reliably track multiple points on medium and long span bridge structures. Our multi-sensor approach facilitates multi-point displacement and additional vision sensors for vehicle identification and tracking that could be used to accurately relate the bridge displacement response to the load type in the time domain. The performance of the system was validated in a series of controlled laboratory tests. This research will significantly advance current vision-based Structural health monitoring (SHM) systems which can be cost prohibitive and provides a rapid method of obtaining data which accurately relates to measured bridge deflections.

Machine learning and statistical approaches have transformed the management of infrastructure systems such as water, energy and modern transport networks. Artificial Intelligence-based solutions allow asset owners to predict future performance and optimize maintenance routines through the use of historic performance and real-time sensor data. The industrial adoption of such methods has been limited in the management of bridges within aging transport networks. Predictive maintenance at bridge network level is particularly complex due to the considerable level of heterogeneity encompassed across various bridge types and functions. This paper reviews some of the main approaches in bridge predictive maintenance modeling and outlines the challenges in their adaptation to the future network-wide management of bridges. Survival analysis techniques have been successfully applied to predict outcomes from a homogenous data set, such as bridge deck condition. This paper considers the complexities of European road networks in terms of bridge type, function and age to present a novel application of survival analysis based on sparse data obtained from visual inspections. This research is focused on analyzing existing inspection information to establish data foundations, which will pave the way for big data utilization, and inform on key performance indicators for future network-wide structural health monitoring.