Monitoring – pilot study duraBASt-bridge

Abstract

The federal highways are facing major challenges due to the increased traffic volume and the age of the structures. A replacement of all structures is not possible in the short term, the implementation of monitoring offers the possibility of continued use of the bridges. Currently, monitoring on road bridges is rarely used. Within the framework of the pilot study "duraBASt bridge", various possible applications of monitoring und non-destructive testing methods are being tested on a prestressed concrete bridge at the Cologne East highway. The determination of the durability by means of moisture and corrosion measurements with different sensors is being tested. Furthermore, the possibilities of integrating monitoring into BIM are being investigated. In the future, the creation of a Digital Twin is planned. In a first step, a finite element model is to be created, which is to be calibrated by means of load tests using the strain measurement sensors already installed in the roadway. For the load tests the fibre-optic sensors and strain measurement sensors installed in the bridge are to be used. Non-destructive testing methods were used to locate the tendons of the bridge and determine the thickness of the pavement structure.

Use cases of a digital twin bridge in operation

“…The digital twin is assuming a key role in the context of digitalization and, owing to its versatility, can play a part in finding suitable approaches to tackling the challenges posed by the federal highway activities by BASt under real-life conditions, and also in day-to-day practice on the Smart Bridge in the "Digitales Testfeld Autobahn" and the "duraBASt." 16,28…”

“…This research project strives to adopt a practical approach to concept development, taking different development stages of the digital twin bridge into account, and therefore supports systematic implementation of the digital twin in practice. By taking this approach, significant developments are being tested, evaluated, and developed further as part of research activities by BASt under real‐life conditions, and also in day‐to‐day practice on the Smart Bridge in the “Digitales Testfeld Autobahn” and the “duraBASt.” 16,28 …”

Digitaler Zwilling Brücke im Betrieb – Mögliche Anwendungsfälle

“…Mit dem vorgestellten Forschungsprojekt wird das Ziel einer anwendungsorientierten Konzeptentwicklung angestrebt, das verschiedene Ausbaustufen des Digitalen Zwillings Brücke berücksichtigt und damit eine zielgerichtete Umsetzung des Digitalen Zwillings in die Praxis unterstützt. Auf diesem Weg werden bedeutende Entwicklungen im Rahmen von Forschungsaktivitäten der BASt unter Realbedingungen, wie in gängiger Praxis an der Intelligenten Brücke im Digitalen Testfeld Autobahn und der Brücke duraBASt, erprobt, bewertet und weiterentwickelt [16, 28].…”

Monitoring on federal highways bridges: current situation, future opportunities & digital implementation

“…In this way, maintenance and replacement investments, for example, can be planned in an optimized manner and the data collected can be used for sustainability assessment in the long term. The Digital Twin thus forms an essential basis for optimized, predictive and sustainable life cycle management [16].…”

“…The focus here is on the automatic data feed from the real to the digital object. The information available on the structure is fused and made profitably usable for the operator [16].…”