Soft-WIM: vehicle identification from bridge measurement

This paper presents an approach for the identification of operational loads given measured static responses of a bridge structure and its corresponding analytical model. In an optimization process single vehicles and corresponding attributes are identified from data recorded during the presence of one or multiple vehicles on the bridge. The vehicle attributes gross weight, velocity, axle loads and axle spacings are determined. The problem is solved by means of two encapsulated evolutionary optimization routines. The objective function is represented by the calculation of the difference between measured and computed strains. For measurement, only two sensors which are installed in one cross section without any installations on top of the bridge are required.

The application to real measurements as well as obtained results will be shown. The results demonstrate that structural health monitoring in conjunction with adequate mechanisms can successfully support the acquisition of additional, valuable information.