ABSTRACT
Structural health monitoring (SHM) is often used to gain a better understanding of the structures, get durability data for research, and for decision making based on actual structural performance as opposed to analytical and theoretical analyses. This usually involves instrumenting the structure with sensors and measuring structural deformations and/or stresses under loads. According to Ettouney and Alampalli [1-3], the following are considered integral components of the SHM:
• Measurements and sensing • Structural identification • Damage/deterioration identification • Decision making
Decision making is generally not considered integral to the SHM process. Ettouney and Alampalli [1-3] argued that any SHM project that does not incorporate decision-making/cost-benefit ideas in all its tasks cannot be a successful project and should not be pursued and introduced structural health in civil engineering (SHCE) concept (see Figure 36.1). For efficient and meaningful upkeep of structural health of our infrastructure inventory, decision making should be well integrated with SHM components. This section first covers the SHCE concepts and then applies it to FRP applications in bridge engineering.
