Date of Award

Spring 2011

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Civil Engineering

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Erin S Bell

Abstract

The condition of America's infrastructure is highlighted by major collapses and overcrowded roadways remind us that our infrastructure is aging and in need of effective maintenance. The American Society of Civil Engineers report card for 2009 graded the nation's bridges as a C. In this period of renovation, rebuilding and limited funding, it is important to use the latest technologies to help make America's roadways safe and establish efficient management protocols. This research develops a program for the purpose of pairing structural health monitoring systems with the power of structural modeling, for the use of model updating and parameter estimation, can help to create a smarter and more efficient method of bridge health monitoring and management. A current and accurate analytical bridge model can help owners assess structural needs as they arise. A first step towards this goal is the creation of a program that utilizes field measurements, bridge inspection reports, analytical structural modeling and the powerful computer based structural model updating methods for bridge condition assessment.

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