A network of sensors funded by a federal grant will allow bridge engineers in the eastern US state of West Virginia to quickly detect stress, movement or structural damage.
The system, known as structural health monitoring (SHM) was first installed on the “Gunner” Gatski Bridge in Huntington, a 270m concrete cable-stayed bridge.
SHM provides continuous data and can detect vessel collisions. It also includes crack meters as well as accelerometers and tilt sensors that detect minute shifts in a bridge.
West Virginia’s SHM programme was funded by a SMART grant from the US Department of Transportation. SMART (Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation) is a discretionary grant programme that provides funding to eligible public sector agencies conducting demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems to improve transportation efficiency and safety.
