Structural health monitoring Available to Purchase

Advances in technology mean that structural health monitoring (SHM) is having an increasing role in bridge management. SHM is usually implemented to obtain specific data and information about a structure in order to aid the technical decision making for maintenance planning and scheduling. It is also used to reduce the reliance on physical inspections: reducing personnel exposure to health and safety risks and the financial and environmental costs associated with inspections.

This chapter aims to provide the bridge manager with a clear overview of why and how SHM can be used. It describes several examples of cases that aid the data-led management of existing and new bridges. SHM system design and specification options are outlined, and common sensor types and measurement systems are described. Potential pitfalls for specifiers are also discussed and an attempt is made to decode jargon and acronyms often associated with SHM.