Dynamic Testing and Long Term Monitoring of a Twelve Span Viaduct

Because of the critical importance of bridges in land transport networks and broader economy, an increasing interest in permanent observation of their dynamic behavior under traffic, seismic and other live loads can be observed during the past decade. In addition, recent technological advances have made the installation and operation of permanent dynamic monitoring systems much more practical and economical. A multi-channel dynamic monitoring system is being installed in the 12 span pre-cast, post-tensioned Newmarket Viaduct, recently built using the balanced cantilever method and situated in Auckland, New Zealand. This paper first reports on the preliminary experimental studies including extensive one-off ambient vibration tests using wireless sensors conducted shortly after construction of the bridge. Then the permanent monitoring system is described and proposed future research that will be undertaken using the monitoring data is outlined.