S-BRITE Research Projects - Infrastructure Monitoring

October 17, 2017

Field Instrumentation for Evaluation of the I-64 Sherman Minton Bridge

In-service inspection of the Sherman Minton Bridge in southern Indiana identified cracking in the steel at several locations on the fracture-critical tie girders. Dr. Robert Connor led a group of researchers from Purdue University's S-BRITE Center in completing a Fitness for Service (FFS) evaluation of the tie girder welds on the bridge, as well as a robust, long-term, remote monitoring program where member stress, pier tilt, wind speed and direction, and ambient and steel temperature data were collected over several months.
May 22, 2017

Evaluating Effects of Super-Heavy Loading on US-41 Bridge over White River

Anticipating super-loads to be crossing the US-41 White River Bridge, INDOT commissioned S-BRITE Center researchers to assess the structure’s response to the heavy loads. Remote, long-term monitoring was used to collect data, which also included photographs of passing trucks whose weight triggered the system to record a picture.
May 22, 2017

Valmont Utility Pole Monitoring

Researchers from Purdue University's S-BRITE Center performed structural monitoring on a utility pole. No formal research had been reported on the effects of wind gusts on sign/solar panel structures near railroad tracks. Thus, this study targeted the structural response of the pole to passing railroad engines and cars, as well as natural wind loads.
June 05, 2018

Development and Verification of Web-based Bridge Monitoring Interface (JTRP SPR-3554)

The Virginia Ave Bridge over I-65 SB was selected for monitoring because it frequently fell victim to truck impacts owing to its relatively low clearance. S-BRITE Center researchers deployed a data acquisition system that included a datalogger, HD digital video camera, accelerometer, and cellular communications, capturing impact footage and sending immediate alerts to INDOT personnel.
May 22, 2017

Field Instrumentation of Indiana southern Railroad, Spencer Subdivision, Bridge 17.44 over White Lick Creek

Researchers at the S-BRITE Center worked with the Indiana Southern Railroad to explore live load stress conditions generated by train traffic over Bridge 17.44 in Central Indiana.
May 22, 2017

Comparative Study of Data Acquisition Systems for Controlled Load Testing of Rural Steel Bridges

Diagnostic field testing of rural bridges can improve the accuracy of bridge load ratings. Researchers at the S-BRITE Center have partnered with the Indiana Soybean Alliance to explore existing technology that could be leveraged by bridge owners to help ensure rural bridges remain safe and functional.
October 13, 2017

Prototype Testing for Distortion-Induced Fatigue Retrofit near Cairo, IL

Researchers at the S-BRITE Center worked with the Illinois DOT to test a retrofit intended to mitigate further distortion-induced fatigue on a multi-girder bridge near Cairo, IL.

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