ABSTRACT
The present paper discusses the possibility of using structural monitoring sensors such as strain gages attached to the main girders of steel bridges to collect the data about the traffic on the bridge deck. Obtaining useful data is challenging task since the load is typically transferred from the deck to the main load-carrying structure through several intermediate structural members. The main parameters affecting the reliability of such results are the number, position and type of sensors used. The additional requirements might lead to a more complicated planning of the bridge instrumentation. On the other hand, this method can result in substantial savings in planned monitoring systems and will increase the value of monitoring data from already instrumented bridges. The method is demonstrated on a steel suspension bridge located in western Finland.
