Bridgeweb
December 4, 2008
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Tobin to become first Massachusetts 'smart bridge'
Published:  June 20, 2008

Massachusetts Port Authority has announced that a new structural monitoring system will be fitted on the Tobin Bridge over the next 18 months, making it the US state's first 'smart bridge'.

The system was included in an amended US$21.7 million project budget for work on the bridge. The amendment will fund a US$1 million contract with Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, which will conduct a finite element analysis of the entire 3.6km structure. The model will be calibrated against actual conditions and wireless sensors will be attached to the bridge. A continuous stream of data will provide real-time information about stresses and loads, as well as environmental conditions and corrosion. The computer modelling, calibration and installation of the sensors should be complete by 2010.