Displacement monitoring of a Long-Span Arch Railway Bridge using Digital Image Correlation (DIC)

High resolution digital image correlation using proper generalized decomposition: PGD-DIC

A new method is proposed to measure the finite element (FE) displacement field from a deformed image in comparison to a reference one. In opposition to standard FE approaches, the unknown displacement is sought as a sum of products of separated dimensions functions. The problems in each dimension being uncoupled, the method involves only 1D meshes and 1D problems. An algorithm that builds succe...

Attenuating resonant behavior of a tied arch railway bridge using increased hanger damping

In this paper, dynamic analyses and field measurements of a tied arch railway bridge is presented. Excessive vibrations of the hangers were obtained, caused by resonance during train passages. The resulting increase of the stress level and number of stress cycles were shown to decrease the fatigue service life significantly. The most critical section is a threaded turnbuckle connection of the h...

A three-frame digital image correlation (DIC) method for the measurement of small displacements and strains

Digital image correlation (DIC) has become a well-established approach for the calculation of full-field displacement and strains within the field of experimental mechanics. Since their introduction, DIC methods have been relying on only two images to measure the displacements and strains that materials undergo under load. It can be foreseen that the use of additional image information for the ...

Historical view of long-span bridge aerodynamics

Some features of bridge aerodynamics of wind engineering are reviewed at this time, in view of the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and also to celebrate Professor Alan G. Davenport’s 40 years of contribution to the field. Primary highlighted topics are: description of motion-dependent forces for flutter instability, presentation of gust responses caused by turbulent winds and suppression ...

Pushover Analysis of Long Span Bridge Bents

Design and implementation of a monitoring system applied to a long-span prestressed concrete bridge

Currently long-term monitoring systems are mandatory in major civil engineering structures like bridges, tunnels and dams. Generally, they monitor a set of physical, chemical and mechanical parameters in critical sections of the structure by incorporating appropriated sensors. The set of collected data demonstrates great potential in the prevention of damage and contributes to a more efficient ...