A case for structural health monitoring (SHM) and civionics enhances the evaluation of the load carrying capacity of aging bridges

AbstractThis paper discusses the reasons why civil engineers are very conservative in the design of new structures and the evaluation of existing structures. It is argued that structural health monitoring will assist in providing data that could be used to fine-tune the calibration of load and strength factors leading to more efficient and economical designs and better utilization of the strengths of existing structures. For major changes in design, construction and evaluation to be accepted, it is necessary that innovative structures be monitored for their health so that the required data bank can be developed. To assist in achieving this goal, civil engineers in Canada are developing a new discipline, which integrates civil engineering and electrophotonics under the combined term ‘civionics.’