Campaign Monitoring of Railroad Bridges Using Wireless Smart Sensors Networks (WSSN)

This research explores the potential of using wireless smart sensors (WSS) to measure bridge responses under revenue service traffic that can be used to inform bridge management decisions. Wireless strain gauges installed on the rail measure real-time train loads. Wireless accelerometers and magnetic strain gauges installed in the bridge measure associated bridge responses. The system is deployed and validated on various bridges. A calibrated finite element model of the bridge with known train input load estimated the responses of the bridge at arbitrary, unmeasured locations, showing the possibility of applying the system for decision-making process. These results demonstrate the potential of WSS technology to assist with railroad bridge inspection and management practice.