Connecticut Permanent Long-Term Bridge Monitoring Network Volume 5: Wireless Monitoring of the Hung Span in a Large Truss Bridge – I-95 NB over the Thames River in New London (Bridge #3819)

This report describes the instrumentation and data acquisition for the center hung segment in the largest truss bridge in Connecticut, located on the interstate system. The monitoring system was developed as a joint effort between researchers at the University of Connecticut and a company manufacturing wireless sensor technology, and it is the first of its kind. The great lengths between sensors, along with the difficulty of running wires over the trusses, led to the decision to use wireless sensors. Access to the underside of the bridge is severely limited, requiring closing of a lane whenever researchers are on the bridge. Since wireless sensors require batteries for power, necessitating replacement of batteries on a regular basis, researchers proposed use of solar panels along with rechargeable batteries for use with the sensors. The initial system was developed and placed on the bridge and used to collect strains and accelerations. Using what was learned from the initial system, changes and upgrades were made to the equipment. This included sensor modifications, replacement of some of the solar panels and revisions to the monitoring techniques. This report shows what was learned from the initial phases for this first-of-its kind monitoring system.

• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/28392
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Connecticut, Storrs

  Connecticut Transportation Institute
  270 Middle Turnpike
  Storrs, CT  United States  06269-5202

  Connecticut Department of Transportation

  Newington, CT  United States  06131-7546

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Scianna, Adam
  • Prusaczyk, Stephen
  • Christenson, Richard E
  • DeWolf, John T
• Publication Date: 2014-8-21

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 23p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Instrumentation; Mechanical acceleration; Mechanical strain; Monitoring; Technological innovations; Truss bridges; Wireless sensors
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rechargeable batteries; Solar panels
• Geographic Terms: New London (Connecticut)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01597414
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CT-2256-6-13-7
• Contract Numbers: SPR-2256
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 27 2016 5:54PM