Development of a baseline model for a steel girder bridge using remote sensing and load tests

A new skewed two span continuous steel girder bridge was constructed and opened to traffic recently. This bridge uses high performance steel (HPS 100W) in the flanges of the negative moment region over the intermediate pier. For construction verification and long-term structural health monitoring purposes, a finite element (FE) model was developed for the bridge superstructure. Various field tests were performed to verify the model: 1) LiDAR scan, 2) static truck load tests, and 3) Laser doppler vibrometer testing. LiDAR scanner was introduced to gain geometrical information of the bridge in the real world. It was also used to measure girder deflections during load tests. The fundamental frequency of the bridge vibration was obtained by using a Laser doppler vibrometer. Both dynamic and static measurements are then used to update the FE model. This valid bridge superstructure FE model was provided to local DOT bridge engineers with the completion of this study.