Truck-based mobile wireless sensor networks for the experimental observation ofvehicle–bridge interaction

Abstract

Heavy vehicles driving over a bridge create a complex dynamic phenomenon known asvehicle–bridge interaction. In recent years, interest in vehicle–bridge interaction has grownbecause a deeper understanding of the phenomena can lead to improvements in bridgedesign methods while enhancing the accuracy of structural health monitoringtechniques. The mobility of wireless sensors can be leveraged to directly monitor thedynamic coupling between the moving vehicle and the bridge. In this study, amobile wireless sensor network is proposed for installation on a heavy truck tocapture the vertical acceleration, horizontal acceleration and gyroscopic pitching ofthe truck as it crosses a bridge. The vehicle-based wireless monitoring system isdesigned to interact with a static, permanent wireless monitoring system installed onthe bridge. Specifically, the mobile wireless sensors time-synchronize with thebridge’s wireless sensors before transferring the vehicle response data. Verticalacceleration and gyroscopic pitching measurements of the vehicle are combined withbridge accelerations to create a time-synchronized vehicle–bridge response dataset.In addition to observing the vehicle vibrations, Kalman filtering is adopted toaccurately track the vehicle position using the measured horizontal acceleration ofthe vehicle and positioning information derived from piezoelectric strip sensorsinstalled on the bridge deck as part of the bridge monitoring system. Using theGeumdang Bridge (Korea), extensive field testing of the proposed vehicle–bridgewireless monitoring system is conducted. Experimental results verify the reliabilityof the wireless system and the accuracy of the vehicle positioning algorithm.