EpsilonRebars as the nervous system for the health of a hybrid footbridge

EpsilonRebars in the form of composite rods, being simultaneously the structural reinforcement for the concrete deck, were placed along the entire footbridge span of nearly 80 m. Thanks to the application of distributed optical fibre sensing technique, it was possible to perform measurements of strains, cracks, displacements (deflections) and temperatures during the hydration of early-age concrete (thermal-shrinkage strains) as well as during the load tests

DFOS Sensors Installed: EpsilonRebar

Project challenges

How to apply non-invasive diagnostics in demanding historic structures?
How to get precise measurement data to detect local damage and imperfection?
How to measure detailed strain profiles over the entire height of the brick masonry wall?

Benefits of using the DFOS monitoring system

Full knowledge on deformation state along the entire length of the structure
Ability to detect all local damages, including cracks
Analysis of bonding properties between concrete and composite panels
Verification of the design assumptions and 3D FE model

Results of using the DFOS monitoring system

Measurement results can be used for verification of theoretical assumptions made at the design stage as well as for calibration of the numerical model. We analyzed loads combination: slab dead weight + thermal-shrinkage strains after the first two weeks of hydration. Because of concreting the entire span without any dilatations, the knowledge on strain distributions (both in concrete and composite panels) was extremely important.

Technical specifications

96 000 measurement points
almost 1 km of sensing path
12 EpsilonRebars
load tests & long-term

Example results

Recomendations (optional)

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John Doe

Project partner

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