Bridge Monitoring – Complex Structures Handled With Ease

Bridge monitoring systems are into regular and continuous assessment of condition of the bridge. This system helps in increasing the general safety of the bridge and also in maintenance and operational activities optimization of the bridge. Bridges are structures that are highly complex in nature and are made of up numerous components and elements which when come under the effect of any external phenomena get stressed and start interacting with each other. Hence, while designing a bridge monitoring system, it is important to pay attention at the intricate details of each and every bridge and plan, design and execute properly.

Benefits of Bridge Monitoring - The bridge monitoring system is useful to the engineers throughout the life cycle of the bridge which starts right from the design and construction phase. The bridge monitoring systems help in verification of the existing bridge design and suggest necessary changes in design if required. Further, they also help in speeding up the bridge construction process also with timely information. Though, the major function of these systems is monitoring the safety of the bridges. In case of any damage or potential hazard to the bridge, they alert the engineers in advance so that necessary preventive measures could be taken and if necessary evacuation process could be carried out so that there is no loss of lives and the consequences are not very serious. In brief, these systems are a boon to geotechnology.

How Effective are Geotechnical Devices Under Lower Temperatures

Tilt sensors are used at various structures that are built at places that face extreme temperature changes. If you can’t think of places, you may consider the example of the United States where the recent cold wave has taken the temperature of some regions to as low as around  -20 degree Celsius. At this temperature, even stored petroleum gets frozen and electrical instruments go defunct. With temperatures as low as the previously mentioned degree, experiments have suggested that geotechnical instruments such as tilt sensors and inclinometers work just fine even below freezing temperature.

Instrumentation devices such as tilt sensors are prepared keeping in mind the exposure they are going to get on-field. Therefore, these devices are made to withstand temperatures that are as high as eighty degree C and as low as -20 degree Celsius. Regions with low temperatures are prone to get wet due to fog and dew. Under such circumstances, it becomes highly probable that water may fall on these devices. Therefore, all the instrumentation products are made waterproof and weatherproof so that readings are not affected.

The final conclusion that comes out from the discussion is that geotechnical instruments, such as the one in discussion here, work at an efficient level and continue to give accurate results under extreme temperatures.