Abstract
Due to bridges’ critical role in transportation networks, the assessment and maintenance of existing bridges have become a priority. Prestressed concrete bridges constitute a significant portion of Europe’s transportation network, yet many no
longer meet today’s technical requirements. This is primarily due to two factors: (i) the unforeseen increase in heavy goods traffic, and (ii) insufficient experience with early reinforced and prestressed concrete construction methods, coupled with inadequate
regulations, which resulted in design weaknesses and structural deficiencies. One critical failure mechanism, identified when recalculating existing bridges based on updated guidelines, is insufficient shear load-bearing capacity, which has prompted the
premature demolition of numerous bridges. A thorough understanding and rigorous monitoring of shear behavior is essential since neglecting this problem could lead to notable consequences, especially for aging infrastructure. In this paper, a distributed fiber optic sensor (DFOS) based monitoring system, inspired by shear detection concepts, is tested. A decommissioned prestressed concrete bridge girder was equipped with a DFOS grid, allowing for detailed monitoring of crack width, location, and shape.
Preliminary test results confirm the successful installation and early detection of cracks, highlighting the system’s potential to identify microcrack formation, monitor crack growth, and support maintenance strategies.
longer meet today’s technical requirements. This is primarily due to two factors: (i) the unforeseen increase in heavy goods traffic, and (ii) insufficient experience with early reinforced and prestressed concrete construction methods, coupled with inadequate
regulations, which resulted in design weaknesses and structural deficiencies. One critical failure mechanism, identified when recalculating existing bridges based on updated guidelines, is insufficient shear load-bearing capacity, which has prompted the
premature demolition of numerous bridges. A thorough understanding and rigorous monitoring of shear behavior is essential since neglecting this problem could lead to notable consequences, especially for aging infrastructure. In this paper, a distributed fiber optic sensor (DFOS) based monitoring system, inspired by shear detection concepts, is tested. A decommissioned prestressed concrete bridge girder was equipped with a DFOS grid, allowing for detailed monitoring of crack width, location, and shape.
Preliminary test results confirm the successful installation and early detection of cracks, highlighting the system’s potential to identify microcrack formation, monitor crack growth, and support maintenance strategies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 13th International Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure, SHMII-13 |
| Publisher | Verlag der Technischen Universität Graz |
| Pages | 170-177 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-99161-057-1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| Event | 13th International Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure, SHMII 2025 - Graz, Austria Duration: 1 Sept 2025 → 5 Sept 2025 |
Conference
| Conference | 13th International Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure, SHMII 2025 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | SHMII-13 |
| Country/Territory | Austria |
| City | Graz |
| Period | 1/09/25 → 5/09/25 |
Fields of Expertise
- Sustainable Systems
Treatment code (Nähere Zuordnung)
- Experimental