Validation of a Data-fusion Based Solution in view of the Real-Time Monitoring of Cable-Stayed Bridges

A precise assessment of the displacements induced by external actions on cables-stayed bridges may be currently challenging and costly when conventional structural health monitoring (SHM) solutions are applied. In order to bypass the drawbacks of wired solutions and the use of expensive equipment, a novel approach is proposed. A Kalman filter-based data fusion of multiple responses is adopted. A GPS receiver and a three-axial accelerometer are used as sensors. The GPS accuracy is enhanced exploiting the satellite corrections provided by a single reference station. The proposed system is validated in situ on the "Tesa" timber footbridge.