ABSTRACT
Around the world, historical bridges may be required to carry heavy loads. Structural health monitoring (SHM) can be used to better understand bridge performance and ensure the safety of the local network. This paper presents a general methodology for the incorporation of SHM measurements into bridge assessments, using the Australian Standards AS 5100.7 methodology as an example. Two potential SHM solutions are compared under various headings, based on practical experience. By coupling the monitoring results with cross-section analysis, the in-situ behavior of an existing bridge under heavy loads can be assessed. The framework considers whether cracking is occurring on different locations, guiding visual inspections and in-forming decision-making. Overall, this study provides a solid basis for implementing the developed SHM system into practice. It helps to identify the potential defects on the bridge, reduce the level of uncertainties in the bridge assessment, thereby facilitating the movement of important heavy loads and normal traffic.
