Mid-span deflection estimation of simply supported bridges using slopes at end supports

抄録

This study presents an efficient methodology for estimating the mid-span deflection in simply supported bridges using slopes at end supports. The estimation is formulated through the correlation between the deflection and slopes, based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam under bending. Two methods are investigated: the first directly links the mid-span deflection and ends-of-span slopes, while the second accounts for uncertainties in boundary conditions by modifying supports with rotational elastic springs. Slopes are determined by extracting the quasi-static responses from accelerometer measurements through a robust signal-processing approach, and the practical feasibility was examined on a prestressed concrete bridge. Findings indicate that the end-slope-based method, considering rotational springs at the supports, estimated the mid-span deflection within 3–5% of the laser displacement measurements.