Sep 10, 2008 10:40 pm US/Central
New Bridge Safety Sensors To Find Problems Early
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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The sensors are buried in the concrete and attached to wires routed to a central computer.
CBS
When the new Interstate 35W bridge opens, it will have some safety features no one has ever built before. The SmartBridge technology has 300 sensors that monitor the structure of the bridge.
"From our limited knowledge, we do not know any other structures of this size that have included these sensors from the ground up," said Tom Jenkins, Jr., an engineer with Figg Engineering Group.
The sensors are buried in the concrete and attached to wires routed to a central computer. Engineers from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the University of Minnesota will monitor the information to detect any early warning signs of problems.
The sensors measure how much the bridge moves or compresses from traffic, wind or air temperature. They can also measure the level of corrosion.
Jenkins said the sensors will provide good information that will help engineers determine how to repair or strengthen the bridge in the future.
He wouldn't comment on whether these sensors would have prevented the original collapse, but said the SmartBridge technology is a good step forward in a country with infrastructure that needs help.
"We thought this was a good way to demonstrate how these newer technologies can be incorporated into the bridge and show how the bridge is performing over time," Jenkins said.
This weekend the system will be calibrated when several full dump trucks will be marched across the bridge. It will give engineers a benchmark to compare the readings over time.
Given this is first large bridge to install these sensors from the start, Jenkins said this bridge could also be used as research on reforming bridge codes and regulations.
The SmartBridge technology will not replace MnDOT's visual inspections. Those will continue in addition to monitoring the sensors.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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