Field deployment of a dense wireless sensor network for condition assessment of a bridge superstructure

With the increased demand placed on aging infrastructure, there is great interest in new condition assessment tools for bridges. The routine deterioration that bridges undergo causes a loss in the intended performance that, if undetected or unattended, can eventually lead to structural failure. Currently the primary method of bridge condition assessment involves a qualitative bridge inspection routine based on visual observations. Discussed in this paper are methods of insitu quantitative bridge condition assessment using a dense wireless sensor array. At the core of the wireless system is an integrated network which collects data from a variety of sensors in real-time and provides analysis, assessment and decision-making tools. The advanced wireless sensor system, developed at Clarkson University for diagnostic bridge monitoring, provides independent conditioning for both accelerometers and strain transducers with high-rate wireless data transmission in a large-scale sensor network. Results from a field deployment of a dense wireless sensor network on a bridge located in New York State are presented. The field deployment and testing aid to quantify the current bridge response as well as demonstrate the ability of the system to perform bridge monitoring and condition assessment.