Bridge load testing and monitoring using conventional and image-based measurement strategies

Colombani, Isaias Andres

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/114030 Copy

Description

Title

Bridge load testing and monitoring using conventional and image-based measurement strategies

Author(s)

Colombani, Isaias Andres

Issue Date

2021-12-10

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Andrawes, Bassem O

Department of Study

Civil & Environmental Eng

Discipline

Civil Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Field Testing
• Load Rating
• Slab Bridges
• Proof Load Test
• Diagnostic Load Test
• Feature-based Image Registration
• Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar
• Permanent Scatterer Interferometry

Abstract

Bridge load rating analysis has been used for decades to assess the safe load-carrying capacity of bridges in the United States. As time progressed, bridges that were rated using the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) analytical load rating methods began to show lower load capacities than those that the bridges have proven to carry through load testing alternatives. This is especially true for reinforced concrete (RC) slab bridges which have complicated load path distributions and often benefit from load tests. This has resulted in unnecessary roadway restrictions, bridge closures, and other inconveniences to the communities that rely on these bridges for daily commute. Consequently, to provide better accuracy, the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE) offers the option of conducting load rating using field testing as an alternative to analytical computing rating factors for bridges. In this study, diagnostic and proof load field tests are performed on two RC slab bridges to study the feasibility and constraints of using bridge load testing as a load rating method. AASHTO MBE and Effective Strip Width (EW) load rating approaches are used to compare results with AASHTO analytical load rating procedures. The results demonstrate the advantages to load testing over less reliable analytical load rating procedures. To reduce the complexity, time, and cost associated with instrumenting bridges for load testing, the study explores the feasibility of performing load tests using image-based techniques. Images of loaded bridges captured using consumer-grade cameras are used to monitor the displacement of the bridges during testing. The results from the field and laboratory studies show compelling results when compared to conventional Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) sensors. Furthermore, the studies show that image-based bridge monitoring techniques have great potential in conducting quick and cost-effective field-based load ratings of bridges. The research also investigates alternative approaches to field tests for structural monitoring of bridges. A satellite image-based technique is explored to evaluate the potential of this technology to measure small displacements in bridges. Moreover, the technique is applied to three different bridges to validate the approach and the simplicity of its application for bridge monitoring. The results show promising potential in the method to be used as a structural health monitoring strategy for bridges.

Graduation Semester

2021-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/114030

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Copyright 2021 Isaias Colombani

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