Structural health monitoring of an existing PC box girder bridge with distributed HCFRPsensors in a destructive test

Abstract

The application of hybrid carbon fiber reinforced polymer (HCFRP) sensors was addressedto monitor the structural health of an existing prestressed concrete (PC) box girder bridgein a destructive test. The novel HCFRP sensors were fabricated with three types of carbontows in order to realize distributed and broad-based sensing, which is characterized bylong-gauge length and low cost. The HCFRP sensors were bonded on the bottom andside surfaces of the existing bridge to monitor its structural health. The gaugelengths of the sensors bonded on the bottom and side surfaces were 1.5 m and 1.0 m,respectively. The HCFRP sensors were distributed on the bridge for two purposes. Onewas to detect damage and monitor the structural health of the bridge, such asthe initiation and propagation of new cracks, strain distribution and yieldingof steel reinforcements. The other purpose was to monitor the propagation ofexisting cracks. The good relationship between the change in electrical resistanceand load indicates that the HCFRP sensors can provide actual infrastructureswith a distributed damage detection and structural health monitoring system.Corrections were made to this article on 13 May 2008. The corrected electronic version is identical to the print version.