Utilization of Dynamic and Static Sensors for Monitoring Infrastructures

Abstract

Infrastructures, including bridges, tunnels, sewers, and telecommunications, may be exposed to environmental-induced or traffic-induced deformation and vibrations. Some infrastructures, such as bridges and roadside upright structures, may be sensitive to vibration and displacement where several different types of dynamic and static sensors may be used for their measurement of sensitivity to environmental-induced loads, like wind and earthquake, and traffic-induced loads, such as passing trucks. Remote sensing involves either in situ, on-site, or airborne sensing where in situ sensors, such as strain gauges, displacement transducers, velometers, and accelerometers, are considered conventional but more durable and reliable. With data collected by accelerometers, time histories may be obtained, transformed, and then analyzed to determine their modal frequencies and shapes, while with displacement and strain transducers, structural deflections and internal stress distribution may be measured, respectively. Field tests can be used to characterize the dynamic and static properties of the infrastructures and may be further used to show their changes due to damage. Additionally, representative field applications on bridge dynamic testing, seismology, and earthborn/construction vibration are explained. Sensor data can be analyzed to establish the trend and ensure optimal structural health. At the end, five case studies on bridges and industry facilities are demonstrated in this chapter.