CAREER: Integrating Structural Health Monitoring, Intelligent Transportation Systems and Model Updating into a Bridge Condition Assessment Framework
Erin Bell, Assistant Professor
Civil Engineering
University of New Hampshire
This proposed research will develop a framework for bridge condition assessment that integrates information collected through structural health monitoring (SHM) and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) into a model updating program using parameter estimation for highway bridge decision-making and management. There are several challenges that have limited the successful use of model updating for condition assessment. Two of these major challenges are the development of the a priori model that creates a well-conditioned parameter estimation scenario (modeling error) and the quality of the collected data (measurement error). This proposed research will address these challenges by advancing the analytical and experimental components of model updating. This proposed research includes the creation of a bridge finite element model with respect to parameter estimation for model updating requirements, which increases the available a priori information and will shift the traditional elemental bridge design paradigm. The PI will also develop linear and multi-linear parameter estimation algorithms to alleviate some potential impact of modeling error. The U.S. government has made significant investments in SHM and ITS. The proposed model updating procedure will exploit SHM and ITS data for a selected bridge in New Hampshire providing information relating to the performance (SHM) and usage (ITS) of the bridge.
Each bridge type requires a different instrumentation and modeling protocol for an effective assessment plan. With thoughtful planning and coordination with bridge managers, traffic bureaus, bridge designers and researchers, SHM and ITS sensors will be deployed to satisfy both structural condition and traffic and safety assessment for bridge management. This proposal will also provide bridge managers with a model updating platform for post-processing collected SHM and ITS data.
Intellectual Merit: A major cost and management issue related to highway bridges is condition assessment, which, when conducted according to National Bridge Inspection Standards protocol, produces very subjective and highly variable results. The proposal outlines an objective condition assessment tool that integrates finite element models, collected data and parameter estimation for model updating. This project will offer two protocols for model updating, multi-response parameter estimation that will use multiple data types and multi-linear parameter estimation that will account for the non-linear behavior that structural damage can cause. The research will also present a structural engineering application for vision-based displacement measurements and a structural condition assessment application for weigh-in-motion station (WIMS), which are both traditionally ITS measurements. The vision-based data will be incorporated with strain, rotation and temperature data to measure the response of the bridge while the WIMS data will record the excitation for model updating. This is a unique and value-added application of technology given that WIMS are commonly used in traffic management but have a limited history with structural condition assessment.
Broader Impacts: The proposed research will develop innovations in bridge design and rehabilitation. The PI will implement this research into both her graduate and undergraduate courses. The integration of outreach, educational and research components is essential to advance engineering as a discipline. The PI feels that this idea can be translate to all age groups through the evolution of bridge design and construction. As this research advances bridge assessment technology, it will advance public understanding of bridge importance by providing a fun and educational activity using build-able bridge models that tell the story of engineering in relation to social studies, science and math. These build-able bridge kits will include drawings, construction sequences, social and economic impacts and education material that will tie into the NH K-12 curriculum strands. The kits and real-time data from the target bridge will be integrated as hands-on educational enhancement activities into NH after-school programming.