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Evaluating Bridge Behavior Using Ultra-High Resolution Next-Generation Digital Image Correlation (DIC): Applications in Bridge Inspection and Damage Assessment

What Was the Need?

Due to heavy cost burdens, departments of transportation are increasingly seeking new technologies that can facilitate monitoring their bridge portfolios and reduce the need for costly interventions. Deformation measurements, such as bridge deflections, material strains, and crack progression under load and over time, are at the heart of damage and capacity evaluations for bridges. However, measuring the necessary structural deformations is currently time consuming, requires direct access to the structure, and often suffers from user-bias. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a non-contact technology that utilizes specialized digital cameras to deliver high-resolution deformation data between successive images and over large areas of a structure. The technology is advancing rapidly and has recently been proven in laboratory settings to possess the unique ability, amongst competing technologies, to deliver the necessary high-resolution deformation data that can greatly improve the accuracy and reduce the conservatism of structural evaluations.

What's the Solution?

This project will deliver a state-of-the-art DIC system that can monitor strains and deformations during bridge load testing, as well as monitor damage progression in concrete and steel bridges over time. The system will accelerate and reduce the cost of bridge inspections, while delivering previously inaccessible data for streamlining bridge capacity evaluations and rehabilitation decisions.

AASHTO High Value Research 2021 award winner (Formerly AASHTO “Sweet 16”)

Project Number

0-6950

Status

Completed

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Project Details

Start Date

9/1/2017

End Date

12/31/2020

Performing Institution(s)

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

Research Team

RS: Wassim M. Ghannoum

Sponsor

Project Manager

Tom Schwerdt

Contract Specialist

Barbara Davenport

TxDOT Advisor

Graham Bettis, BRG
Bernie Carrasco, BRG
Biniam Aregawi, BRG
Drake Builta, BRG
Joshua Gutzwiller, BRG
Leon Flournoy, BRG
Bonnie Longley, SAT
Seth Franks, LFK
Zosimo Agrimor, LBB

Amount Funded

$419,432

Notes

Moved to implementation phase

Source

TxDOT RTI

Publications from this Project

Page:

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Functional Area

Structures and Hydraulics

Index Terms

Bridges
Load tests
Inspection equipment
Rehabilitation (Maintenance)
Instruments for measuring deformation or deflection

Lead University

UTSA

Researcher

Ghannoum, Wassim M.

TxDOT District

BRG
SAT
LFK
LBB

User Feedback

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Comments

kevyn

Feature story in Sept/Oct 2021 issue of TxDOT's TN Magazine: "New system Rates Load Capacity for Bridges" http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/5fa49969#/5fa49969/16

11/3/2021 at 2:50 AM

Helpful?

kevyn

Article published by the ASCE Texas Section, August 2021: "Advances in Bridge Evaluation Using Digital Image Correlation (DIC)" https://www.texasce.org/tce-news/advances-in-bridge-evaluation/

12/3/2021 at 11:32 AM

Helpful?

Record Added:

10/19/2017

Record Updated:

5/31/2023 12:33 PM EDT

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