• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.261-281
• /
• 2023

Magnetic flux sensors are commonly used in monitoring the cable force, but the application of the sensors in large diameter non-closed Galfan cables, as those adopted in Yueqing Gymnasium which is located in Yueqing City, Zhejiang Province, China and is the largest span hybrid space structure in the world, is seldom done in engineering. Based on the construction of Yueqing Gymnasium, this paper studies the cable tension monitoring using the magnetic flux method across two stages, namely, the pre-calibration stage before the cable leaves the rigging factory and the field tension formation stage of the cable system. In the pre-calibration stage in the cable factory, a series of 1:1 full-scale comparative tests were carried out to study the feasibility and relability of this kind of monitoring method, and the influence on the monitoring results of charging and discharging voltage, sensor location, cable diameter and fitting method were also studied. Some meaningful conclusions were obtained. On this basis, the real-time cable tension monitoring system of the structure based on the magnetic flux method is established. During the construction process, the monitoring results of the cables are in good agreement with the data of the on-site pressure gauge.The work of this paper will provide a useful reference for cable force monitoring in the construction process of long-span spatial structures.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.557-572
• /
• 2012

This paper focuses on the vibration control of long-span reticulated steel structures under multi-dimensional earthquake excitation. The control system and strategy are constructed based on Magneto-Rheological (MR) dampers. The LQR and Hrovat controlling algorithm is adopted to determine optimal MR damping force, while the modified Bingham model (MBM) and inverse neural network (INN) is proposed to solve the real-time controlling current. Three typical long-span reticulated structural systems are detailedly analyzed, including the double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell, single-layer spherical reticulated shell, and cable suspended arch-truss structure. Results show that the proposed control strategy can reduce the displacement and acceleration effectively for three typical structural systems. The displacement control effect under the earthquake excitation with different PGA is similar, while for the cable suspended arch-truss, the acceleration control effect increase distinctly with the earthquake excitation intensity. Moreover, for the cable suspended arch-truss, the strand stress variation can also be effectively reduced by the MR dampers, which is very important for this kind of structure to ensure that the cable would not be destroyed or relaxed.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.243-256
• /
• 2019

Determination of the most meaningful structural modes and gaining insight into how these modes evolve are important issues for long-term structural health monitoring of the long-span bridges. To address this issue, modal parameters identified throughout the life of the bridge need to be compared and linked with each other, which is the process of mode tracking. The modal frequencies for a long-span bridge are typically closely-spaced, sensitive to the environment (e.g., temperature, wind, traffic, etc.), which makes the automated tracking of modal parameters a difficult process, often requiring human intervention. Machine learning methods are well-suited for uncovering complex underlying relationships between processes and thus have the potential to realize accurate and automated modal tracking. In this study, Gaussian mixture model (GMM), a popular unsupervised machine learning method, is employed to automatically determine and update baseline modal properties from the identified unlabeled modal parameters. On this foundation, a new mode tracking method is proposed for automated mode tracking for long-span bridges. Firstly, a numerical example for a three-degree-of-freedom system is employed to validate the feasibility of using GMM to automatically determine the baseline modal properties. Subsequently, the field monitoring data of a long-span bridge are utilized to illustrate the practical usage of GMM for automated determination of the baseline list. Finally, the continuously monitoring bridge acceleration data during strong typhoon events are employed to validate the reliability of proposed method in tracking the changing modal parameters. Results show that the proposed method can automatically track the modal parameters in disastrous scenarios and provide valuable references for condition assessment of the bridge structure.

• Proceeding of KASS Symposium
• /
• 2008.05a
• /
• pp.66-69
• /
• 2008

This study presents deflection analysis of long span structures for pedestrian bridge on crossroads. For long span structures, the size of structural members should be determined considering the esthetic view and vehicle below the structures. As a result, the slenderness ratio of members is increased and the structure may be suffered from significant deflection. The under-tensioned system on lower part of the structure, is applied in order to reduce the deflection and the size of members. In this regard, the under-tensioned system enables the load of upper parts to carη to the end of beam by means of tensional force in cable. In addition, effectiveness of under-tensioned system can be different depending on the size of cable, the number and spacing of posts. This study is performed with conforming the effect by analytical various parameters (size of cable, number and spacing of post). Dead and live loads is supposed to apply in the slab, and the analytical result by MIDAS program are presented addressing the effect of the under-tensioned system.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2013

PURPOSES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate physical properties, durability, fatigue resistance, and long-term performance of poly-urethane concrete (PU) which can be possible application of thin layer on long-span orthotropic steel bridge and to check structural stability of bridge structure. METHODS : Various tests of physical properties, such as flexural strength, tensile strength, bond strength and coefficient of thermal expansion tests were conducted for physical property evaluation using two types of poly urethane concrete which have different curing time. Freezing and thawing test, accelerated weathering test and chloride ion penetration test were performed to evaluate the effect of exposed to marine environment. Beam fatigue test and small scale accelerated pavement test were performed to assess the resistance of PU against fatigue damage and long-term performance. Structural analysis were conducted to figure out structural stability of bridge structure and thin bridge deck pavement system. RESULTS: The property tests results showed that similar results were observed overall however the flexural strength of PUa was higher than those of PUb. It was also found that PU materials showed durability at marine environment. Beam fatigue test results showed that the resistances of the PUa against fatigue damage were two times higher than those of the PUb. It was found form small scale accelerated pavement test to evaluate long-term performance that there is no distress observed after 800,000 load applications. Structural analysis to figure out structural stability of bridge structure and thin bridge deck pavement system indicated that bridge structures were needed to increase thickness of steel deck plate or to improve longitudinal rib shape. CONCLUSIONS: It has been known that the use of PU can be positively considered to thin layer on long-span orthotropic steel bridge in terms of properties considered marine environment, resistance of fatigue damage and long-term performance.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.151-161
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of the curling behavior of long-span pavement slabs under environmental loads. By developing and using finite element models of the long-span pavement slabs, the stress distribution and the effects of slab length, slab thickness, stiffness of underlying layers, and the restraints of the slab ends on the curling behavior were analyzed. In addition, the field experiments were performed with the actual long-span pavement slab to obtain the curling behavior of the real structure under environmental loads. As a result of this study, it was found that the vertical displacements of the long-span pavement slab along the centerline due to the curling behavior were zero except for the areas near the slab ends, and the curling stresses were maximum and constant where the displacements were zero. The slab length and the stiffness of underlying layers did not affect the maximum curling stresses. The restraints at the slab ends made the curling stresses occur near the slab ends, but did not much affect the maximum curling stresses.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2010

Rural facilities need to be changed to be industrialized and long span structures due to accelerating aging of the rural population. In this study, the optimized structure was developed by applying Pre-Engineered Building System using the tapered member to make that the Korea standard green house has a long span. When considering design load, reasonable values were adapted by reviewing existing design codes. As a result, applying pre-engineered building system was efficient in structural system that has span longer than 16 m. And it was concluded that the increase with the longitudinal span from 4 m to 12 m was more efficient in aspect of steel amount.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.239-257
• /
• 2009

This paper develops and discusses a method by which it is possible to evaluate the Equivalent Static Force (ESF) of wind in the case of long-span bridges. Attention is focused on the alongwind direction. The study herein carried out deals with the classical problems of determining the maximum effects due to the alongwind action and the corresponding ESFs. The mean value of the maximum alongwind displacement of the deck is firstly obtained both by the spectral analysis and the Gust Response Factor (GRF) technique. Successively, in order to derive the other wind-induced effects acting on the deck, the Gust Effect Factor (GEF) technique is extended to long-span bridges. By adopting the GRF technique, it is possible to define the ESF that applied on the structure produces the maximum alongwind displacement. Nevertheless the application of the ESF so obtained does not furnish the correct maximum values of other wind-induced effects acting on the deck such as bending moments or shears. Based on this observation, a new technique is proposed which allows to define an ESF able to simultaneously reproduce the maximum alongwind effects of the bridge deck. The proposed technique is based on the GEF and the POD techniques and represents a valid instrument of research for the understanding of the wind excitation mechanism.

• Spatial Information Research
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.301-307
• /
• 2009

Recently, the various studies has been focused on evaluating the damage and stability of long span bridge through measuring and monitoring to ensure the stability and usability. But, even if various studies are performed, it is hard to predict and evaluate the real motion of structure. The aim of this study is check the application of GPS to the motion monitoring of long span bridge by comparing data acquired form RTK-GPS and laser displacement meter.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.859-887
• /
• 2015

Structural health monitoring (SHM) has gained in popularity in recent years since it can assess the performance and condition of instrumented structures in real time and provide valuable information to the asset's manager and owner. Operational modal analysis plays an important role in SHM and it involves the determination of natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes of a constructed structure based on measured dynamic data. This paper presents the operational modal analysis and seismic response characterization of the Tsing Ma Suspension Bridge of 2,160 m long subjected to different earthquake events. Three kinds of events, i.e., short-distance, middle-distance and long-distance earthquakes are taken into account. A fast Bayesian modal identification method is used to carry out the operational modal analysis. The modal properties of the bridge are identified and compared by use of the field monitoring data acquired before and after the earthquake for each type of the events. Research emphasis is given on identifying the predominant modes of the seismic responses in the deck during short-distance, middle-distance and long-distance earthquakes, respectively, and characterizing the response pattern of various structural portions (deck, towers, main cables, etc.) under different types of earthquakes. Since the bridge is over 2,000 m long, the seismic wave would arrive at the tower/anchorage basements of the two side spans at different time instants. The behaviors of structural dynamic responses on the Tsing Yi side span and on the Ma Wan side span under each type of the earthquake events are compared. The results obtained from this study would be beneficial to the seismic design of future long-span bridges to be built around Hong Kong (e.g., the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge).