Optimal Design of a Vibration-Based Sensor Network for Bridge Monitoring

Abstract

Bridges are known to be the most fragile components in transportation systems. Furthermore, due to the fact that transportation networks were built many years ago, especially in developed countries, a significant portion of existing bridges have either reached the end of their lifespan or are approaching it. It would be impossible to demolish and replace all of these bridges due to the immense economic burden it would bring. As such, it is crucial to regularly monitor these bridges and create cost-effective maintenance, repair, and renewal plans in response to potential damage scenarios. In this context, long-term structural health monitoring applications appear to be an effective approach. The number of instruments used in these activities and the measurement intervals are essential to their applicability. While increasing the number of measurement points provides more comprehensive information about the structure, it also brings a great economic and operational burden in terms of both the installation cost and the evaluation of the data obtained after the measurement. Therefore, the number of instruments placed on the bridges should be kept to a minimum, while still allowing for accurate determination of the bridge’s dynamic behavior. The objective of this study is to efficiently and inexpensively determine the number and placement of accelerometers to be utilized in long-term health monitoring activities. The study aims to investigate the most effective location for the instrumentation and minimize the number of sensors. Additionally, the obtained results were compared, and also the approach’s efficiency was evaluated. © 2023 The Author(s).