Feasibility investigations on bridge damage detection using BWIM focusing on changes in deflection influence line

Abstract

This study investigates feasibility of bridge damage detection using BWIM and deflection of the bridge. A virtual axle is introduced to the vehicle so that increase of identified wheel loads caused by changes in deflection influence line due to damage can be distributed to the virtual axle. Investigating the identified wheel load of the virtual axle which should be zero in a pristine condition of the bridge theoretically, we can examine the possibility of damage in the bridge. Both model bridge damage experiments and simulations showed changes in the wheel load of the virtual axle due to damage in the bridge. Observations imply that selecting a proper location of the virtual axle would improve the accuracy of delivering increased virtual wheel load due to bridge damage.