Bridge Sensors explores how sensor technology is revolutionizing bridge maintenance through structural health monitoring. Imagine bridges capable of signaling danger before it strikes, a concept this book brings to life by examining how embedded sensors can prevent catastrophic failures. The book highlights the critical role of proactive, sensor-driven monitoring in ensuring the long-term safety of aging bridge infrastructure, a necessity given increasing traffic loads. It examines how traditional visual inspections are enhanced, and sometimes replaced, by smart sensor networks, capable of detecting minute changes in structural integrity.
The book progresses from the basics of aging infrastructure and bridge vulnerabilities to the specifics of sensor technology, data analysis, and real-world applications. It investigates different types of sensors, like strain gauges and fiber optic sensors, detailing their operation and placement, and explores data analysis techniques, including machine learning, to predict bridge lifespan.
Case studies demonstrate the practical benefits and challenges of implementing structural health monitoring systems, illustrating the economic and social impacts of these technologies on civil engineering and transportation infrastructure.
