Assessment of an Instrumented Reinforced-Concrete Bridge with Fiber-reinforced-polymer Strengthening

Abstract

Field instrumentation is investigated on an in-service highway bridge over a 2-year period. Extrinsic Fabry-Pérot interferometric (EFPI) strain sensors provide a permanent health-monitoring capability. The bridge is a reinforced-concrete (RC) structure that was repaired and strengthened using fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) wraps. A sensor network monitors the load-induced strain in the FRP reinforcement and the steel rebar. Colocated electrical resistance strain gauges and a finite element analysis are used for comparison. Both dynamic and static load characteristics are analyzed for a near-capacity truck. The fiber optic measurements are generally consistent with the comparison measurements and the analytical results; and they show no failure or degradation as opposed to the electrical resistance gauges. We demonstrate the implementation and the performance of in situ EFPI sensors in a long-term field environment. Embedded fiber optic sensors can provide the required information for the intelligent management of a transportation infrastructure.

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Second Department

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Sponsor(s)

University of Missouri--Rolla. Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies
Missouri. Department of Transportation

Keywords and Phrases

Bridges (Structures); Condition Monitoring; Fiber Optic Sensors; Fibre Reinforced Plastics; Light Interferometry; Strain Measurement; Strain Sensors; Fabry-Perot interferometers; Reinforced concrete

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0091-3286

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2007 SPIE, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2007

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