SBIR PHASE I: Wireless Remote Evaluation of Bridge Abutmentsand Piers (WREBAP)

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段的项目是开发和演示一个低成本的桥台和桥墩无线远程评估系统(WREBAP)。WREBAP系统解决了桥梁失效的最常见原因：即洪水，在洪水期间，桥梁基础的冲刷导致桥墩和桥台的失效。准确和及时地评估这些可能导致此类故障的关键桥台和桥墩状况，是实施具有成本效益和安全意识的桥梁管理计划的关键部分。WREBAP系统基于对温度和恒载引起的桥墩和桥台移动的长期监测。这些位移及其与测量变形的关系，与参数估计模型相结合，以确定未知基础的特征和桥墩或桥台的整体状况。这些信息被自动传输到交通部桥梁管理数据库，在那里它可以用于修复规划和预算、优先顺序以及快速和紧急反应。通过消除电线和使用低成本、批量生产的电子元件，该系统将是低成本的(目标=每座桥5,000-10000美元)。这一价格范围使该系统能够负担得起在大量结构上实施，从而可以有效地监测桥梁的数量。WREBAP系统开发面临的关键技术问题是：(1)利用长期监测数据对桥墩和桥台进行评估的可靠性和准确性；(2)拟议系统提供足够质量数据的能力。第一阶段计划将通过以下方式解决这两个问题：(1)使用简单模型和合成数据进行模拟桥墩和桥台评估；(2)使用安装在服役桥梁上的实验原型系统设计和演示现场数据收集。拟议的系统完全开发后，将适用于国家和地方交通部门、铁路公司以及收费和隧道当局拥有的所有桥梁。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to develop and demonstrate a low cost system for Wireless Remote Evaluation of Abutments and Piers (WREBAP). The WREBAP system addresses the most common cause of bridge failure: i.e., from floods, during which scour of bridge foundations causes failure of piers and abutments. Accurate and timely evaluation of these critical bridge abutment and pier conditions that can lead to such failures is a critical part of implementing a cost-effective, safety conscious bridge management program. The WREBAP system is based on long-term monitoring of pier and abutment movements caused by thermal and dead loading. These movements, and their relationship to measured distortions, are combined with parameter estimation models to determine the characteristics of unknown foundations and overall condition of the pier or abutment. The information is transmitted autonomously to the Department of Transportation bridge management database where it could be used for rehabilitation planning and budgeting, prioritization, and rapid and emergency response. By eliminating wires and using low cost, mass produced electronic components, the system will be low cost (target = $5000-$10000 per bridge). This price range makes the system affordable for implementation on a large number of structures, so that the population of bridges can be effectively monitored. The key technical issues to be faced in the development of the WREBAP system are: (1) the reliability and accuracy of pier and abutment evaluations using long term monitoring data; and (2) the ability of the proposed system to provide data of adequate quality. The Phase I program will address these two issues by (1) conducting simulation pier and abutment evaluations using simple models and synthesized data; and (2) designing and demonstrating field data collection using an experimental prototype system mounted to an in-service bridge. The proposed system, when fully developed, will be applicable to all bridges owned by State and Local departments of transportation, railroad companies, and toll and tunnel authorities.