Smart Structural Monitoring: Real-Time Bridge Response Using Digital Twins and Inverse Analysis

Area of Science:

• Structural Engineering
• Digital Twin Technology
• Infrastructure Monitoring

Background:

• Continuous infrastructure monitoring is crucial for safety but often cost-prohibitive.
• Traditional monitoring methods present significant financial challenges.
• Developing advanced, cost-effective monitoring solutions is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a real-time digital twin for a laboratory-scaled bridge.
• To assess the digital twin's accuracy in emulating actual structural behavior.
• To explore the utility of digital twins in infrastructure monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Instrumentation of a laboratory-scaled bridge model with strain gauges.
• Development of a script for inverse structural analysis.
• Execution of finite element analysis for structural response visualization.
• Testing under three distinct loading scenarios.

Main Results:

• The digital twin accurately emulated the bridge's structural behavior.
• The model correctly identified the magnitude and location of applied loads.
• Linear elastic behavior was observed in the digital model, consistent with the actual structure.
• Rates of change in strain and deflection were evaluated.

Conclusions:

• The developed digital twin demonstrates high accuracy in replicating real-world structural responses.
• Digital twin technology offers a promising, accurate, and potentially cost-effective approach to infrastructure monitoring.
• The study highlights the significance of digital twin development for enhancing infrastructure safety and management.