Integrating numerical simulation and experimental data for enhanced structural health monitoring of bridges

The research described in this paper aims to enhance the structural health monitoring (SHM) of highway bridges by integrating numerical simulations with experimental data. A simply supported highway bridge is studied under traffic loads, and both numerical and experimental approaches were employed. The numerical model of the bridge was developed using ANSYS, while high-resolution experimental data were collected from velocity transducers placed at key points on the bridge. The experimental data were compared with the results from the numerical model for validation. The results showed that the natural frequencies obtained from both the experimental and numerical analyses were closely aligned, demonstrating the reliability of the model. The validated model was further used to predict long-term structural behaviours under different operational conditions, contributing to better maintenance planning and the sustainability of infrastructure. The study concludes that combining numerical simulations with experimental data improves the accuracy of SHM, enabling early detection of potential structural issues and extending the lifespan of bridges. Key findings emphasize the significant role of vehicle speed in influencing the dynamic response of the bridge, as well as the importance of considering material properties and vehicle loads in predicting structural health.