Structural health monitoring on a steel-concrete composite continuous bridge during construction and vehicle load tests

This study presents the structural health monitoring system of an I-shaped steel-concrete composite girder bridge during construction and vehicle load tests. Strains and deflections were monitored. A finite element model was built and calibrated. Vehicle load tests were carried out for various load conditions. Measured results show that the strains in the concrete slab and steel beams changed rapidly in the first 15 days and stabilized. The composite girder was in an elastic working state under the vehicle load tests. This research provides guidance for the construction control and safety evaluation of similar I-shaped steel-concrete composite bridges in the future.