Published: 2000 | Category: Activity management , Research programme , Research & reports | Audience: General
Bridge health monitoring is a method for evaluating the ability of a bridge to perform its required task (also called fitness for purpose) by monitoring the response of the bridge to the traffic loads it has to withstand.
This research project, carried out in 1998–1999, is part of stage 2 of the short-term health monitoring and 'fitness for purpose' assessment of 10 bridges on New Zealand highways, in order to develop and evaluate the methodology. The Atiamuri Bridge, on State Highway 1N, crosses the Waikato River between Tokoroa and Taupo, North Island, New Zealand. It was selected as one of the 10 to be health monitored because it has a relatively unique form of construction, with a steel-concrete composite deck system, and has a history of load-induced problems.
Keywords: bridges, bridge dynamics, bridge health, bridge loads, heavy vehicles, loading, monitoring, New Zealand, performance, roads, superstructure, traffic