Bridge Structural Health Monitoring
Services
Service Overview
RST Ltd. provides bridge structural health monitoring services, integrating GNSS displacement monitoring with accelerometer dynamic measurement to continuously track a bridge’s displacement and vibration behavior 24 hours a day, helping management agencies detect structural deterioration early. Our clients include agencies such as the National Freeway Bureau and the Directorate General of Highways.
Applicable Scenarios
- Freeway and provincial highway bridges
- Long-span bridges and cable-stayed / suspension bridges
- Structural health monitoring of aging bridges
- Bridges at risk from nearby construction or river scour
Monitoring Methods
- Technologies used: GNSS for 3D displacement of piers and deck, accelerometers for dynamic vibration and natural frequency
- Measurement items: displacement, vibration, and natural frequency, extendable to tilt, expansion joint displacement, and scour monitoring
- Accuracy specifications: GNSS horizontal 1–2 cm, vertical 2–3 cm; accelerometers with micro-vibration detection capability
- Data transmission and visualization: Data is transmitted 24/7 to the GeoGuard platform, with automatic alerts when thresholds are exceeded
Comparison with Other Methods
| Item | This service | Manual visual inspection | Single static measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timeliness | 24-hour continuous | Periodic | One-time |
| Dynamic behavior | Yes (vibration / frequency) | None | None |
| Early warning | Automatic tiered alerts | Per inspection cycle | None |
| Best for | Long-term health monitoring | Routine inspection | Stage checks |
Representative Cases
Our services cover numerous government-commissioned bridge structural health monitoring projects.
Service Process
- Structural assessment — confirm measurement items and sensor configuration
- Equipment installation — install sensors on piers, deck, or box girders
- Real-time monitoring — data transmitted 24/7 with automatic analysis
- Early warning and reporting — alerts for frequency shifts / displacement exceedances, plus periodic reports
Get in Touch
Need a bridge structural monitoring solution? Feel free to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items does bridge monitoring measure?
Common items include pier and deck displacement (GNSS) and dynamic vibration and natural frequency (accelerometers), extendable to tilt, expansion joint displacement, and scour monitoring, for a comprehensive picture of the bridge's structural health.
How do accelerometers determine whether a bridge is abnormal?
By long-term measurement of the bridge's dynamic response and natural frequency: when the structure is damaged or its stiffness changes, the frequency shifts. The system compares against baseline values and issues an alert when thresholds are exceeded, making it well-suited to early detection of structural deterioration.
Does monitoring affect normal bridge traffic?
No. The sensors are small and low-power, and once installed on piers, the deck, or inside box girders, they operate continuously 24/7 with wireless data transmission, without affecting traffic or daily use.