Smart bridge components (expansion joints, bearings and seismic devices) for intelligent infrastructure

Modern automated structural health monitoring (SHM) systems have much to offer the responsible engineers in the construction, inspection, maintenance and renovation of structures in general, and of key structural components such as bridge bearings, expansion joints and seismic protection devices in particular. In the past, monitoring of such components generally involved the use of separate, independent sensors, connected not to the component but to the main structure and provided, to all intents and purposes, as an afterthought to the design and use of the components themselves. Improving technology is changing this, however, with “smart” components now available, with sensors pre-integrated in their design and fabrication before they leave the factory, and data analysis capabilities improving to include automatic identification of component damage based on general testing and teaching of the system.