This paper presents the application of three main Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) in damage detection of steel bridges. This method has the ability to indicate damage in structural elements due to a localized change of stiffness called damage zone. The changes in structural response is used to identify the states of structural damage. To circumvent the difficulty arising from the non-linear n...

Concrete cylinder piles produced by a centrifugally cast, vibrated, roller-compacted process have shown promising corrosion resistance in marine environments. Three bridges in the Florida panhandle with ~40 years in aggressive marine service and one newly constructed marine bridge utilizing concrete cylinder piles were examined. Examination of the older marine bridges showed minimal corrosion d...

In this study, the scope of CFRP cables in cable-stayed bridges is studied by establishing a numerical model of a 1400-m span of the same. The mechanical properties and characteristics of CFRP stay cables and of a cable-stayed bridge with CFRP cables are here subjected to comprehensive analysis. The anomalies in the damping properties of free vibration, nonlinear parametric vibration and wind f...

A procedure for selecting an optimal NDI (non-destructive inspection) technique and associated schedule for fracture-critical member inspections on a specific steel bridge is presented. Information related to the probability of detection (POD) function (a measure of inspection quality) of alternative NDI techniques is utilized. Calculations based on use of the POD function together with Monte C...

The mission of the Bridge Engineering Center is to conduct research on bridge technologies to help bridge designers/owners design, build, and maintain long-lasting bridges. The contents of this report refl ect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the information presented herein. The opinions, fi ndings and conclusions expressed in this publication are...

FHWA has completed a multiyear study of systems and techniques to identify and characterize cracks in steel bridge structures. The study was conducted by FHWA’s Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Laboratory at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, VA. The study, called the Steel Bridge Testing Program, was authorized under the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transporta...

Two different design problems are commonly encountered by highway bridge maintenance engineers: the upgrade of existing members to handle increased load demand, or the repair of bridge members which have experienced impact events due to overheight vehicles. This paper shows that through the use of carbon fiber reinforced (CFRP) materials highway bridge girders can be effectively strengthened or...

Reliability methods offer a very efficient serviceability assessment of structures with randomness due to geometry, material, and loading. Al-Awsej composite bridge in Diyala-Iraq span 33.2m has been studied its deflection reliability index for three lifespans was estimated compared the target index. The indices have evaluated through First-Order Method (FORM) Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) metho...

Operational modal testing and analysis is a direct and efficient way to understand the dynamic properties of full scale bridges. For the purpose of bridge modeling, monitoring, condition assessment, damage detection, maintenance and rehabilitation, this paper is intended to share ideas and experiences that are devoted to innovative applications in full scale bridges when the bridge modal parame...