14 - Health monitoring of bridges

Abstract

Advances in technologies have reached a stage when smartphones have become capable for health monitoring of bridges. Research demonstrates that useful, reliable, and accurate data, which could support bridge management, can be obtained easily and at a low cost, requiring no special equipment but a device that we have in our pockets. This chapter introduces the reader to a bridge management and health monitoring basics. Bridge response is explained. Sensors that are commonly deployed to measure response and data processing essentials are discussed. This chapter then reviews smartphone applications for bridges monitoring and data analysis in laboratory environments and in situ. A case study presenting a short-term monitoring of a suspension bridge is included to demonstrate capabilities of smartphones collecting ultrahigh videos, from which accurate dynamic response is derived. The chapter concludes with current challenges and future perspectives for health monitoring and inspection of bridges using smartphones.