Overview
A lot of attention of researchers is focused on the problem of sophisticated monitoring of bridges, which is mainly based on repeated measurements of the dynamic response. In Slovakia, there no coordinated system of monitoring bridges has been created yet.
The project will develop the basis for monitoring of important bridges in the Slovak Republic. Methodology will be formulated for the system identification (SI) and the subsequent monitoring of the state of these structures (structural health monitoring - SHM) for selected continuous reinforced concrete bridges, steel bridges and some special types of larger span bridges. The project will build on the existing equipment for radar tracking of the dynamic response (IBIS-S system).
Numerical models of structures using the finite element method (FEM) will be created, which will be calibrated by the experiment. Software will be developed for the automatic evaluation of dynamic experiments and subsequent SHM. A basic database of several bridges will be created along with their initialization measurements for long-term SI. An automated measurement system (AMS) will be developed for a selected structure. The project will also serve as a training base and expertise to students, post-graduates and young scientists of technical universities in Slovakia.