Non-destructive Evaluation, Structural Health Monitoring, Vibration Analysis and Maintenance of Bridges with Steel Elements

Dear Colleagues,

Bridges are critical links in the surface transportation system and are essential for providing reliable access during ordinary and extraordinary times. It is essential that the onset of damages to the bridge is detected early and preventive maintenance is performed on-time, long before the extent of the damage necessitates drastic actions such as closure and replacement of part or all of the bridge. The onset and progression of damage in bridges are not always visually detectable. There have been instances that hidden damage has caused catastrophic collapses costing life and money. Bridges with steel elements, especially those with distinct vulnerabilities are among vivid examples of such cases. Corrosion is perhaps the most prominent cause of damage to steel elements. Fatigue under repetitive tensile loading is another major reason for damage. These become even more critical when fracture-critical elements and fatigue-prone details are included in the design. For some steel elements, vibration creates the potential for further damage. As the many bridge failures over the past few decades have shown, conventional and routine bridge monitoring is insufficient to effectively evaluate the safety, and that more effective methods for damage detection and structural monitoring are needed to ensure the health of these structures as they continue to age and to prevent catastrophic collapses.

This Special Issue will compile articles on a wide range of topics related to the existing and new non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods, structural health monitoring (SHM), and damage detection techniques applicable to bridge steel elements and steel bridges. Topics on damage detection and structural health monitoring using all varieties of methods including but not limited to hands-on non-destructive testing (NDT), the use of non-contact or vision-based sensors and instrumentation, load testing, and vibration analysis are encouraged. Maintenance approaches that use the results of NDE and SHM to devise preventive and preservation tactics for steel bridges and elements will also be considered for publication in this issue. It is understood that the structural health monitoring and condition assessment have evolved significantly in recent years with the introduction of innovative sensors, data communication, and non-destructive evaluation. These methods have been augmented by the use of drones and robots for rapid and efficient assessment of damages in small and large scales. Therefore, innovative approaches to health monitoring and condition assessment of bridge steel elements are solicited for this Special Issue, along with new approaches to maintenance.

Dr. Armin Mehrabi
Guest Editor

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• Bridges
• Steel bridges
• Steel elements
• Non-destructive evaluation
• Structural health monitoring
• Damage detection
• Vibration analysis
• Bridge maintenance
• Preventive maintenance