Design and implementation of health monitoring systems for cable-stayed bridges (I): Design methods

The structural health monitoring (SHM) system is becoming a technique for ensuring the health and safety of civil infrastructures and also an important means for studying the damage accumulation or even disaster evolution characteristics of civil infrastructures. An SHM system consisted of a sensor module, a data acquisition module, a data transmission module, a structural analysis module, and a data base module. An integrated technique is employed to make all modules run automatically. General design principles of the SHM systems for cable-stayed bridges, including the monitored variables, grade and function, are studied. The design method for optimal sensor locations and performance is analyzed. The design methods for the data acquisition module, including the bus master scheme, hardware and software, are proposed. The design methods for the data transmission module and safety evaluation at both member and structure levels are also presented. The design of a SHM system for cable-stayed bridges should be considered together with the design of the construction monitoring system static and dynamic loading test and management systems. The design method for a system integration approach is also proposed.