Long-Term Wireless Structural Health Monitoring of the Ferriby Road Bridge

Abstract

As part of an effective bridge management system, sensor networks can provide data to support both inspection and assessment. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have the potential to offer significant advantages over traditional wired monitoring systems in terms of sensor, cabling, and installation costs as well as expandability. However, there are drawbacks with WSNs relating to power, data bandwidth, and robustness. To evaluate the potential of WSNs for use in bridge management, a network of seven sensor nodes was installed on the Ferriby Road Bridge, a three-span reinforced concrete bridge. Three displacement transducer nodes were placed across cracks on the soffit of the bridge to measure the change in crack width. Three inclinometer sensor nodes were mounted on two of the elastomeric bearing pads to measure the change in inclination of the bearing pads while a final node monitored temperature in the box that contained the gateway. The installation of the WSN is discussed and data from this network is analyzed. Finally, the use of sensor networks to support inspection and assessment is discussed.