Network-Wide Remote Sensing of Bridges

Dear Colleagues,

The structural health monitoring (SHM) of bridges typically involves the installation of various field sensors integrated with an automated data collection system. Data obtained from specific locations on a structure are subsequently analyzed. While a well-designed instrumentation program can provide very accurate and useful information from the locations of interest, it tends to be challenging to implement and maintain on numerous and geographically dispersed structures. Individual sensors and data acquisition systems require a reliable power supply and data transmission network. These systems are also susceptible to environmental impacts such as lightning.

There is a need to develop and implement a large-scale reliable remote sensing system for the network-wide structural monitoring of bridges in order to improve the current state of the practice. Remote sensing technology offers the potential to monitor many structures dispersed over a wide area. The main challenge of the network-wide monitoring of bridges involves acquiring data from certain specific locations of interest on each structure in a timely and periodic manner. Typically, the objective of a monitoring program is to detect a precursor movement that is potentially indicative of structural distress. This early-warning signal is particularly challenging to detect on a bridge because it is constantly subjected to various loads and the resulting displacements while in service.

Particular areas of interest addressed in this call for papers include but are not limited to the following:

• Design considerations for network-wide remote sensing of bridges to provide early warning of structural distress.
• Assessment of resiliency and post-event recovery.
• Monitoring of scour-susceptible bridges.
• Instrumentation and measurement—principles of operation and applicability.
• Requirements for data analysis and presentation of results to bridge engineers.
• Available technologies for practical implementation.
• Research needs.
• Economic analysis.
• Application of SAR techniques to bridge monitoring.

Technical papers are sought from practitioners, owners/agencies, and researchers to share their experience and knowledge. Practical insights illustrated by case histories of both successful solutions and unsuccessful approaches are encouraged.

Dr. Edward J. Hoppe
Dr. Susana Lagüela López
Guest Editors

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