Strain Monitoring
Panel point strain gage instrumentation installation to monitor load paths through gusset plate connections
Geocomp worked with HAKS under contract to the Delaware River Port Authority to extend the service life of the 57 year old suspension bridge over the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Rusted gusset plates were discovered below the recently re-decked bridge structure during routine inspection. This prompted emergency repairs based on inspection and classification of the gusset plate deterioration. The repair schedule was built on classification importance from engineering calculations and verification through field instrumentation and data collection and evaluation.
Geocomp’s work included strain gage installation on select members surrounding gusset plates and monitoring peak strains under ambient traffic conditions over six months. The information was used to measure actual stress from live loads to compare with predicted stress in the members. Geocomp also provided installation of spot weldable strain gages and a temperature sensor at multiple gusset plate panel points. Each panel point had five framing structural elements instrumented and wired into a remotely positioned highspeed data acquisition system.