Washer, Glenn A.

683255772

Final.

Missouri University of Science and Technology. Center for Transportation Infrastructure and Safety

NTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-Bridges and Structures

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Scour and other natural hazards have the potential to undermine the stability of piers in highway bridges. This has led to brid

collapse in the past, and significant efforts have been undertaken to address the potential danger of scour and other hazards.

However, there remains a lack of reliable, cost-effective, long-term monitoring devices capable of determining the structural

stability of bridge piers. Research and development proposed within this project is intended to develop a unique and robust

monitoring system for highway bridge piers. This system will be designed to measure changes in tilt and vertical displacemen

bridge piers using an array of low-cost sensors mounted on the bridge pier and superstructure. Signal processing correlation

algorithms will be developed that use sensor density and location to better measure long-term bridge rotations and displace

The use of a high-density sensor array will provide a redundant, autonomous and stable measurement system. Unique and

innovative aspects of the proposed system include 1) the ability to measure vertical displacement of a pier that may occur without

tilt, and 2) special signal processing algorithms that will reduce temperature and drift problems common to long-term monitoring

systems, and 3) the implementation of a redundant sensor array to reduce costs and increase long-term sytem reliability. The prototype system will be tested in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation.

US Transportation Collection

DTRT06-G-0014