Federal Highway Research Institute

Smart Bridge

Implementation of sub-aspects of the „Smart Bridge“ in existing structures

Sensor based, modular system to record and holistically assess relevant information on changes in impact and resistance in real time.

Background

Logo of the smart bridge

The federal highway network is facing major challenges: aging structures, increasing traffic loads, effects of climate change and new quality requirements. New and innovative approaches must be pursued to maintain a reliable road network. Maintenance management is currently based in the main on regular visual inspections of the structures. Damage is only discovered once it is visible. This approach is damage-based and reactive. Damage and problems of the structure are often apparent for the first time in the inside of the structure, in areas which cannot be accessed and through the actual but frequently unknown impacts on the structure. The bridges of the future should be able to provide information on their condition and its development at an earlier date and in addition to structural inspections.

Concept

The picture shows an integrated corrosion sensors Integrated corrosion sensors in the edge beam (left: Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing – BAM, right: company BS2 Sicherheitssystem GmbH)

The „Smart Bridge” is a system consisting of adjustable modules to record and holistically assess relevant information on changes in impact and resistance in real time. At the duraBASt-bridge innovative sensors required to measure load-bearing capacity and durability (corrosion, humidity and temperature) are integrated in the area of the bridge deck and the edge beams.

The investigations at the duraBASt facility supplement completed and ongoing research projects conducted by the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) to

  • capture data using sensor systems (sensors integrated into components and wireless sensor technology),
  • data analysis and
  • assessment of the bridge condition.

As part of thorough repair of the duraBASt bridge with renewal of the road surface, the edge beams and expansion joints, innovative sensors to record load-bearing and durability parameters were directly built into the relevant components. Data will be transferred to BASt online and it is intended to provide a graphic representation of the measurement and analysis results. The structure can be accessed without restricting traffic. This means that the bridge can also be fitted with further instruments at a later date.

Objectives

The instrumented bridge is in-tended to collect experience in the implementation of the „Smart Bridge” concepts. A further important aspect is the assessment of durability and long-term stability of the installed measurement equipment under real conditions. The project is therefore an important step in realising the research framework programme „Roads in the 21st Century”.