Structural Health Monitoring – Bridges
Bridges are vital lifelines in transportation infrastructure, and their safety, performance, and longevity are critical to public safety and economic resilience. As global infrastructure ages and traffic loads increase, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has emerged as an essential tool for proactive maintenance and risk management.
- Strain, stress, and displacement
- Vibrations and modal response
- Temperature and environmental effects
- Inclination and tilt monitoring
- Crack detection and corrosion activity
- Load distribution and dynamic performance
What We Provide as Solution Integrators
- Turnkey SHM Systems: From the conceptual design of sensors and monitoring architecture— focused on addressing the specific pain points of the asset owner—to full-scale deployment, we deliver fully integrated SHM solutions. Our systems include optimized sensor networks, highprecision data logging, intuitive monitoring and visualization software, and reliable data transmission via wired, wireless, or hybrid communication channels. These solutions are adaptable for urban environments as well as remote or hard-to-access locations, ensuring seamless
performance regardless of terrain or connectivity challenges. - Wireless and IoT-Based Solutions: Our SHM systems are equipped with advanced wireless communication technologies, including LoRa-based networks, RF radios, and GSM/GPRS modules, enabling reliable data transportability across diverse site conditions. These solutions support remote data acquisition with seamless transmission to either cloud-based SaaS platforms or on-premises software systems, which can be deployed locally at the monitoring site or in a centralized control room at the client’s headquarters. This flexibility helps reduce maintenance
costs, enhances data accessibility, and accelerates informed decision-making. - Data Visualization & Reporting Platforms: We offer flexible and powerful software solutions for data visualization and reporting capable of being deployed on both new and existing or legacy SHM installations, regardless of the type or age of the instrumentation. Our platforms support intuitive data dashboards, customizable threshold alerts, and actionable reporting that can be fully tailored to the specific requirements of each site or asset owner. Beyond routine data presentation, the system can function as an Early Warning System (EWS)—analysing trends over time, identifying anomalies, and providing timely alerts to help infrastructure managers take proactive action. Whether the goal is long-term performance analysis or real-time risk mitigation, our visualization and reporting tools offer unmatched adaptability and insight.
- Instrumentation Audit, Revival & Feasibility Services: We offer specialized services to assess, revive, and plan instrumentation systems for bridge monitoring projects at any stage of deployment. Whether the site has a fully or partially operational SHM system—or no system at all—we conduct a thorough Instrumentation Audit to evaluate the current condition and functionality of sensors, data loggers, and associated components. This includes “fitness tests” of instruments, data integrity checks, and connectivity assessments to determine the overall health of the system. For non-operational or legacy sites, we perform a detailed revival study to identify components that can be repaired, reused, or need replacement, with the goal of bringing the system back online with minimal disruption and cost. Additionally, for sites with no prior instrumentation scheme, we provide a comprehensive feasibility survey, analysing the structure, environmental conditions, and monitoring objectives to design an optimized SHM scheme from the ground up. These services help asset owners maximize the value of existing investments, minimize downtime, and enable the strategic planning of new SHM deployments based on reliable data and expert insight.
- Installation & Commissioning Services: Our experienced technical team offers end-to-end installation and commissioning services to ensure that every SHM system performs reliably from day one. This includes precise installation of sensors and data acquisition systems, calibration and alignment of instruments, and comprehensive system validation to confirm data accuracy and communication integrity. Whether working on new construction projects or retrofitting existing structures, we follow stringent quality protocols and safety standards to guarantee proper integration with the site’s operational needs. Our team also coordinates with civil contractors and site engineers to ensure smooth execution within project timelines, minimizing disruption while maximizing system performance.
- Installation & Commissioning Services: Our experienced technical team offers end-to-end installation and commissioning services to ensure that every SHM system performs reliably from day one. This includes precise installation of sensors and data acquisition systems, calibration and alignment of instruments, and comprehensive system validation to confirm data accuracy and communication integrity. Whether working on new construction projects or retrofitting existing structures, we follow stringent quality protocols and safety standards to guarantee proper integration with the site’s operational needs. Our team also coordinates with civil contractors and site engineers to ensure smooth execution within project timelines, minimizing disruption while maximizing system performance.
Case Study: Instrumentation of Driven Steel Piles
Padama River Bridge, Bangladesh
Project Overview
The Padma River bridge project in Bangladesh is a major infrastructure initiative involving deep foundation work in challenging riverbed conditions. As part of the geotechnical monitoring strategy, steel piles approximately 50 meters in length were driven into the riverbed to support the structure. To assess the behaviour of these piles during and after installation, structural strain monitoring was required.
Instrumentation Solution Provided, Record Tech Electronics supplied Model 4000 Weldable Strain Gauges, specifically selected for their rugged design and suitability for high-strain environments like pile driving.
Outcome & Benefits
- Real-Time Strain Monitoring during pile driving and settlement phases.
- Validation of pile behaviour in actual site conditions, enabling better design verification.
- Reliable data acquisition in a high-vibration, submerged environment.
- Extended lifecycle monitoring enabled through permanent gauge installation.
Case Study: SHM Project of Cable Stayed Bridge
Surat, India
Project Overview
The Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system for this cable-stayed bridge aims to enhance safety, performance, and operational efficiency by utilizing state-of-the-art sensor technologies. This case study explores the SHM project implemented on this bridge, examining the motivations behind the system’s design, the monitoring technology employed, and its impact on the project’s success.
The cable-stayed bridge in Surat is designed to address growing transportation demands in the city. It is a key part of the city’s infrastructure, facilitating smooth movement of traffic and reducing congestion. The Cable-Stayed Bridge is a highly advanced structure, with large main spans held up by multiple cables and pylons, and features the latest technologies for real-time monitoring and maintenance.
Objective of SHM Implementation
The main goal of the SHM system in this project was to ensure the safety and longevity of the bridge by:
Monitoring the health of the bridge in real time to detect any potential issues (e.g., structural failures, deformation, fatigue, and stress).
Ensuring early detection of damages or weaknesses in components like cables, pylons, and deck.
Facilitating predictive maintenance, reducing downtime, and enhancing the lifespan of the bridge.
Providing critical data to engineers and operators to make informed decisions about repairs or upgrades.
Outcome & Benefits
- Improved Safety and Risk Mitigation.
- Cost-Effective Maintenance and Longevity.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Remote Accessibility.
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Environmental Impact Reduction.
- Enhanced Structural Integrity Monitoring.
Contributions
Record Tech Electronics welcomes Case History contributions. If you have a project you would like to be considered for inclusion in our Case History section, please submit details along with 2 or 3 suitable images to the Record Tech Electronics Web Manager.