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Abstract
The purpose of this project is to determine how healthy Boner bridge is using Structural Health
Monitoring (SMH). By determining the health of Boner bridge recommendations could then be
made to ensure the longevity of Boner Bridge and the capacity of the bridge. A visual inspection
of Boner bridge was first conducted on 05/10/19, this was to get a visual representation of the
health of the bridge. AutoCAD drawings were provided by Warrick County Highway
Department, these were modified to generate a 2D & 3D model in RISA. These models were
used to establish a baseline on the health of Boner bridge and would later be modified. Strain
gauge sensors and displacement sensors (LVDT) would be used to test Boner bridge and were
obtained through an innovation fund that Dr. Tennant, Dr. Hall, and Mr. Nelson were granted.
The sensors and software for the sensors were obtained through BDI. Using information gathered
from the visual inspection and the 2D & 3D models proposed members were selected to be
tested. The ASCE bridge was used as a practice bridge for placing and testing the strain gage
sensors. A more simplified structure was used to compare RISA results to the strain gauge
results. Testing on Boner Bridge was conducted on 10/04/19. The University of Southern Indiana
provided a passenger truck, which would be loaded and weighted prior to being driven on the
bridge. Sensors would then be placed on selected members of Boner bridge. The passenger truck
would then drive across Boner bridge stopping at specific points along Boner bridge. The results
from testing were then compared to the RISA 3D model and it was determined that six members
were within 15% error, four members were within 20% error, five members were within 25%
error and one member was within 35% error. Given the age of Boner bridge and the section
losses in the superstructure the percent error that was achieved was reasonable. Unity checks
were done on the longitudinal beams and transverse beams by hand, while unity checks on the
superstructure of Boner bridge were done in RISA 2D. It was determined that the capacity of
Boner bridge is approximately 6-Tons and 5-Ton load posting would be reasonable. Some
recommendations would be to replace the missing member in the approach span, repaint the
superstructure, patch any section loss in the cut stone abutments with grout or mortar, and
decrease the interval between visual inspections to once a year.