With its new cloud-based software platform, Kistler now offers complete bridge structural health monitoring – from sensor to data – in combination with weigh-in-motion systems.
Kistler said that its solutions use enhanced software functions for automated monitoring and alerting in the event of damages. In this way, the overall bridge performance is thoroughly assessed using site-specific information, enabling targeted interventions to enhance bridge condition and extend service life.
For a comprehensive structural assessment there are many parameters to consider, such as vibration, strain, traffic load, wind and many more. But determining and monitoring the structural condition of a bridge is very difficult using only visual inspection only which often are also carried out at long intervals.
Kistler said that its WIM technology is fully integrated into its SHM system in order to monitor traffic 24/7 and automatically determines axle and vehicle loads with the highest accuracy at any speed without disrupting traffic. Key traffic data is captured and made easily available on the SHM data platform, with information such as vehicle loads, overloaded vehicles and cumulated traffic loads passing the bridge. The result is a perfectly synchronised set of data set for most the advanced evaluation of the bridge structural parameters in combination with real traffic data.
All data is available anytime anywhere from the Kistler Cloud. Additionally, the cloud-based software platform offers a variety of special features that benefit bridge operators: notifications and alarms deliver immediate information when conditions change or defined thresholds are exceeded. Triggers can be set to easily collect relevant data sets in case of special events – event-based triggering – or on a regular basis, called time-based triggering.
“Our SHM & WIM systems ensure the collection of a comprehensive, robust, highly accurate and synchronized dataset, measuring all actions and resistances on the bridge,” said David Cornu, head of traffic solutions at Kistler. “This allows for a direct comparison of the bridge’s capacity with the effective loads, providing an accurate insight into its overall performance.”
Kistler engineers will also assist with infrastructure assessment, system design, installation and operation in order to set up a customised SHM solution.
