Title: Overview of Monitoring Applications from the Iowa DOT Point of View

Author(s): Brent Phares, Ahmad Abu-Hawash, Ping Lu and Terry Wipf

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 292

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-20

Keywords: Bridge monitoring, structural health monitoring, bridge testing

DOI: 10.14359/51686292

Date: 10/2/2013

Abstract:
This paper describes the development, implementation and evolution of applied research by the Iowa DOT to better understand how SHM may be used to more effectively manage their bridges. Bridge management is a critical responsibility for highway agencies. Fortunately, advances in technology have allowed for the development and deployment of many types of monitoring schemes. Selected case studies are presented to help describe how the Iowa DOT effectively integrated SHM in their current responsibilities. SHM has been used on wide range of bridge applications in Iowa such as capacity evaluation of deficient or damaged structures, construction phase monitoring, in-service assessment of vulnerable details, security and many others. Working with researchers at Iowa State University (ISU), initial efforts utilized existing technologies for short term monitoring and then advanced into the development of the state of art systems for long term monitoring using fiber optic (strain-based). The SHM system autonomously records, processes and evaluates strain data, and assesses damage in essentially real-time. More recent research has focused on development of broader based monitoring systems that assess both structural and non-structural conditions.