Comparison of Non-Destructive Techniques for Technological Bridge Deflection Testing

Area of Science:

• Civil Engineering
• Geomatics Engineering
• Structural Health Monitoring

Background:

• Suspension bridges require regular monitoring to ensure structural integrity.
• Non-contact measurement techniques offer potential advantages for assessing bridge behavior under load.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the usefulness of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), tachymetry, and photogrammetry for evaluating suspension bridge behavior.
• To assess the performance of these techniques under both static and dynamic load conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) with FARO Focus 3D and Trimble TX8 scanners.
• Employed photogrammetry with a Canon 750D digital camera.
• Conducted tachymetric surveys using a precise total station for reference data.
• Measured bridge and cable displacements under normal service (dynamic) and static loads on a 165 m span bridge.

Main Results:

• All tested non-contact techniques (TLS, photogrammetry) provided valuable data for assessing bridge behavior.
• Results demonstrated the capability of these methods to capture displacements under different load scenarios.
• Comparison highlighted the practical applicability of these techniques for bridge inspection.

Conclusions:

• Non-contact measurement techniques are effective tools for monitoring suspension bridge performance.
• TLS and photogrammetry offer efficient and accurate alternatives to traditional methods for bridge health assessment.
• Findings are crucial for bridge inspectors and managers in utilizing advanced technologies for structural monitoring.