Performance Assessment Using a Field Test of a Short-Period Monitoring System: Tun Bridge Case Study

Abstract

The number of bridges in South Korea has almost tripled in the past few decades. Monitoring the structural behavior of these bridges is essential to maintain their performance in the infrastructure network and keep them in the best possible condition. The study presented in this paper aims to evaluate the Tun Bridge, located in Seoul, Korea. The bridge was tested under static and dynamic loads following the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards. Twenty load cases and a wide range of truck speeds were applied during the bridge test. The bridge responses were captured using a short-period structural health monitoring system. Statistical analysis and signal processing for all the measurements were used to assess the structural behavior and fatigue life of the bridge. Bridge deformation/deflection and fatigue responses were evaluated. Furthermore, comparison with the available data from previous tests on the same bridge (17 years earlier) showed that the changes in static deflection and dynamic frequency were 13.87% and 2.73%, respectively. In addition, deflection and fatigue responses were found to be negligible under static and dynamic loads. Therefore, it was concluded that the bridge’s behavior during its operational state was shown to be safe.