Monitoring System

The main target of a monitoring system is to develop a time dependent sustainment strategy and to create a structural maintenance and inspection method based on the actual condition. Furthermore, objective data are available to evaluate a management strategy for the structural owner.

To fulfil the requirements of a permanent health monitoring system, arsenal research has developed in cooperation with Aplica GmbH., a innovative system. The special features here are the local A/D converter, high sensitive sensors and the time synchronisation. The core of the system is a Linux-Server, which records the data on one single data logger. To transfer the data of the bridge server into the monitoring headquarter, a broadband Internet system by Telekom Austria is used.

data logger

sensor

In order to realise reliable structural monitoring based on the measured vibration response, the location of sensors on the bridge is from major importance. It is essential, that sensors are arranged in such way, that all relevant natural frequencies are determined. If an acceleration sensor for example is located in the node of a mode shape, it will not be possible to determine reliable data for this frequency. In addition a well balanced installation scheme enables the calculation of displacement vectors for the corresponding mode shape.

sensor location

cross section through bridge girder