Monitoring Bridge Performance

Researchers and engineers at the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Department of Transportation have been using non-destructive field monitoring to evaluate a variety of bridges in the State. This has been done to answer questions on the performance of existing bridges, refine techniques needed to evaluate different bridge components, and develop approaches that can be used to provide a continuous picture of a bridge's structural integrity. This paper reports on some of the lessons learned in this continuing research. The field monitoring studies have supplemented the regularly scheduled visual inspection program. Without field data, it would be necessary to use simplified, conservative assumptions to define the actual behavior. The field monitoring efforts have resulted in savings to the state by eliminating or reducing the scope of planned renovations and replacements. This paper shows the need and benefits in using non-destructive evaluation to determine structural health.