Infrastructure Institute (UCII) Research
The University of Cincinnati Infrastructure Institute (UCII) has over twenty years of experience in the research of assessment technologies for structures, including:
- Loads and natural hazards (service, fatigue, strength, and extreme-event limit states)
- Nondestructive evaluation via controlled truckload and modal testing
- Long-term monitoring and on-line prediction of needed maintenance
- Advanced on-site instrumentation systems and smart materials
- Destructive testing, damage process mechanisms and evaluation of remaining service life
- Characterization of performance under extreme events and acceptable risk
- Interdependence and collocation of infrastructure systems
- Geographical information systems
- Social and economic effects
Given the synergy of the on-going research and test specimens, the expressed objective for UCII research is the systematic and integrated development of an optimal field testing regimen and a long-term on-site health monitor for highway bridges with a major emphasis on steel-stringer bridges. While the concept of an intelligent structure is not new, many of the issues that need to be resolved are not all recognized. Further, real-life implementation of well-researched concepts is still a major challenge.
The final product is envisioned as an on-site continuous health monitor which:
- Acquires sensor data at variable sampling speeds
- Communicates with peripheral devices such as a video camera or traffic scale
- Provides a graphical interface via Internet and phone line with a remote engineer
- Performs simple range and other checks for sensor faults
- Identifies parameters for a simple beam or grid model of the bridge
- Detects any structural degradation or damage via thresholds
- Has an open architecture for future expansion or connection.