What sensor devices are used in a bridge structural health monitoring system?

Bridge Monitoring System Overview: 

The bridge structural health monitoring system is an automated monitoring system integrating IoT, sensors, wireless transmission, and cloud computing technologies. This system collects structural and environmental data from key bridge components to monitor and analyze the bridge's operational status and performance in real time. Based on the collected key data, it triggers early warning signals for severe anomalies in special weather conditions, traffic conditions, or bridge operation, providing a basis and guidance for bridge maintenance, repair, and management decisions to ensure bridge safety during operation.

Bridge Monitoring System Components: 

The bridge health monitoring system mainly consists of a sensing layer, a data acquisition layer, a transmission layer, a cloud server, and a human-computer interaction layer. After installing various sensors at key bridge components, the data is connected to the acquisition equipment. The acquisition equipment performs preliminary processing and outputs the data to the cloud server via a 4G wireless network. The cloud server analyzes and processes the data before distributing it to the backend.

1. Data Sensing Layer: Various types of sensors for different monitoring indicators.

2. Data Acquisition Layer: Intelligent IoT gateway.

3. Data Transmission Layer: Wired/wireless, default 4G wireless network.

4. Cloud Server: Data storage, data analysis, and data forwarding.

5. Backend Processor: Anrui Measurement and Control Center, data display platform.

Bridge Monitoring Content and Equipment Selection: 

In the automated solution for bridge structural health monitoring, the monitoring content mainly focuses on the physical quantities of the bridge, such as stress, strain, temperature, settlement, displacement, load, and tilt. There are many types and models of sensors and equipment available for this type of monitoring, and new, more reliable, accurate, and inexpensive sensors are constantly being developed. Therefore, when selecting sensor equipment, factors such as range, sensitivity, accuracy, and working environment must be carefully considered.

Equipment Introduction: 

For example, the AR-SS-SZY02 dynamic level can accurately measure vertical displacement under vibration and motion environments. It can be used for projects requiring rapid displacement response, such as pressure feedback control of the foundation and uplift during high-pressure grouting of high-speed railway foundations, dynamic deflection measurement of bridges, and real-time dynamic displacement measurement of tracks and structures when high-speed railways pass. In this solution, the dynamic level is used to monitor bridge deflection.

A triaxial tilt angle sensor is a high-precision sensor used to measure the tilt angle of three axes. It can be used for automated measurement of the tilt angle of structures such as bridge piers, buildings, and dams, as well as large machinery.

A gateway data collector is an intelligent hardware device used to collect sensor data and connect sensors, control actuators, and cloud platform software into a single unit. It is used to collect and upload sensor data and, according to control strategies, implement functions such as controlling alarm devices and mechanical actions.

Equipment List:

Deformation Monitoring: Dynamic levels, static levels, inclinometers, and displacement sensors should be used for deflection, settlement, tilt, and relative displacement.

Vibration Monitoring: Vibration accelerometers should be used for the natural frequency of bridges.

Load Monitoring: Dynamic weighing sensors should be used for vehicle load monitoring.

Stress and Strain Monitoring: Strain gauges should be used for surface strain, and anchor cable force gauges should be used for cable tension and other parameters.

Environmental Monitoring: Temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction should be monitored using thermo-hygrometers and anemometers.