Bridge

Combined sensor system development

　　Reinforced concrete bridges of structure occasionally became unstable because of deterioration and because of effects of strong earthquake disasters. Operational restrictions imposed according to strong earthquakes are practical methods to secure safe road operations.
This paper presents a prototype of a piezoelectric cable vibration sensor for a monitoring system that can easily evaluate the integrity of a reinforced concrete bridge structure quantitatively and easily using displacement measurement analyzing. We performed measurements at a reinforced concrete bridge using an accelerometer and a piezoelectric cable vibration sensor to sense natural vibrations during loading and car run testing. However, the system presents some difficulties in terms of accuracy and reliability in application to evaluate the soundness of bridge piers in a practical environment. As described in this paper, we present the outline of our system study executed on upgrading of function and principal specifications of the developed system for monitoring the stability of reinforced concrete bridges. Bridge pier joints occasionally become unstable because of deterioration and after strong earthquakes. This paper represents an outline of smart sensor studies executed to upgrade functions and principal specifications of the developed sensor for monitoring bridge pier joint stability. We have proposed this system as a prototype of a monitoring system that can easily evaluate bridge pier joint integrity quantitatively and easily using vibration analysis.

 

Simple Sensor Developed to Foretell Bridge Danger

　　Bridge pier joints occasionally become unstable because of deterioration and because of strong earthquakes. This research investigated a smart sensor through a study executed on upgrading of functions and principal specifications of the developed sensor for monitoring bridge pier joint stability. We have proposed this system as a prototype of monitoring systems that readily evaluate bridge pier joint integrity quantitatively and easily by vibration analysis.

Monitoring of dilapidated bridges

 

  
Installed sensor

 

 

 

 

 

Communication device

 

 

 

 

 

Laser sensor

 

Piezo vibration sensor