Internet monitoring system for bridge performance evaluation

Bridge monitoring system via information technology is capable of providing more accurate knowledge of bridge performance characteristics than traditional strategies. Applying the system to monitor the actual state of the existing bridge promotes effective management and opens up prospect for future application. This article not only presents a Stand-alone Monitoring System (SMS) but also introduces a further effective web-based Internet Monitoring System (IMS) developed for remote monitoring. Based on this integrated system, it is possible to measure and manage bridge performance data such as strain, cable force, displacement and ambient temperature for further evaluation and diagnosis. The SMS and IMS described here were successfully applied to measure a cable-stayed bridge model. The experimental results demonstrate the validity of the system.