Live load distribution and evaluation of bridges using digital image measurements
Date
2022
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
In this study, non-contact, vision-based measurement techniques using digital
image correlation are compared to displacement measurements obtained from
mounted sensors to analyze the live load distribution in two candidate slab-girder
bridges. Vision-based measurement techniques have the potential to eliminate the need
to mount sensors and capture data in a contactless way for bridge monitoring and
evaluation, especially for bridges without documentation. The primary contribution of
this paper is to serve as such a case study for the specific application of full-scale load
testing of bridges using digital image measurements to monitor displacements. For one
of the bridges, which did not have available bridge plans, a companion analytical
model is created in ABAQUS to compare the live load distribution to the girders
versus displacement measurements obtained from non-contact, vision-based
measurements. However, as expected standard AASHTO (2020) methodology
provided more conservative distribution factors in this case by more than ten percent
for the slab-girder bridge tested with four girders. The difference in live load
distribution factors obtained from mounted strain gauges to the non-contact and
mounted displacement sensors is discussed.
Description
Keywords
Bridge load testing, Bridges, Digital image measurement, Distribution factors, Finite element modeling, Live load distribution