Structural health monitoring of Attridge Drive overpass
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Vibration-based damage detection (VBDD) comprises a family of non-destructive testing methods in which changes to dynamic characteristics are used to track the condition of a structure. Although VBDD methods have been successfully applied to various mechanical systems and to simple beam-like structures, significant challenges remain in extending this technology to complex, spatially distributed structures such as bridges. In the present study, numerical simulations using a calibrated finite element model were used to investigate the use of VBDD methods to detect small-scale damage on a two-span, integral abutment overpass structure located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The small scale damage was defined in this study as the removal of a concrete element from the top surface of the bridge deck, resembling the spalled clear cover of concrete deck of the overpass. Five different VBDD techniques were evaluated, including the Change in Mode Shape, Change in Flexibility, Change in Mode Shape Curvature, Change in Uniform Flexibility Curvature and Damage index methods. In addition, the influence of the size of damage, the orientation of damage geometry, sensor spacing (3 m, 5 m and 7.5 m), the approach used for mode shape normalization, and uncertainty in the measured mode shapes was investigated. It was found that localized damage could be reliably detected and located if the sensors were located within 3 m of the damage (the distance between adjacent girders) and if uncertainty in the mode shapes was attenuated through the use of a sufficient number of repeated trials. Furthermore, studies using a limited sensor installation that could be achieved without interrupting the flow of traffic indicated that small scale damage could be detected and potentially located using sensors that are placed well away from the damaged area, provided uncertainty in mode shape was attenuated.
Description
Keywords
field testing, numerical modelling, integral abutment bridge, structural health monitoring, vibration-based damage detection
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Civil Engineering
Program
Civil Engineering