ABSTRACT
As we have seen in this document so far, there are numerous ways to preserve structural health through monitoring and decision making techniques. Perhaps the most popular way is load testing. There are many ways to load test a bridge; there are also many reasons for it. Generally, the testing involves placing a load on the bridge; as the bridge responds, the experiment monitors the responses by a set of sensors and instrumentation. Relating those measurements to the bridge system, using the techniques of structural identification and damage assessment, is the next step. Finally, the appropriate decisions are made by the bridge official. Figure 8.1 shows the steps of load-testing procedures.
