Instrumentation, structural modeling, monitoring and nondestructive testing are significant components to a comprehensive structural health monitoring program. Another key component of structural health monitoring is a model updating protocol that links the structural model with the collected data for evaluation of both the analytical and measured responses. Recentadvancement in sensors technology had increased the popularity of instrumentation however the installation of gauges on an in-service bridge can becostly in terms of manpower and traffic delays. The development of a baseline structural model of the bridge during the design phase would captureall of the design intelligence that is needed for effective condition assessment. A comprehensive monitoring and testing program will be a basis for updating the structural model to truly reflect the condition of the bridge and provide bridge owners with an invaluable management tool for maintenance, load rating and repair scheduling. The most effective deployment of this structural health monitoring scenario is to create the structural model and instrumentation plan during the design phase with input from the bridge designer, bridge manager and instrumentation specialist, to installation the sensors and data acquisition system during construction, monitoring the bridge element during construction and perform a nondestructive test prior to bridge commissioning. This will provide a foundation for the baseline structural model and basis for comparison of future data sets. This procedure is currently being deployed at the Vernon Avenue Bridge in Barre, Massachusetts. This paper presents a collaborative research projectcurrently funded by the Partnership for Innovation and the CAREER programs at the National Science Foundation to develop a framework for bridge condition assessment integrating instrumentation and structural modeling for highway bridge decision-making and management.
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