Integration of prediction model and temperature sensoring system

As more concrete structures, most notably concrete bridges, are reaching their design life, a way to monitor their structural health will become a necessity. The monitoring and prediction system discussed in this paper is one way to help monitor the structural health of concrete structures. The main goals of this research were to develop a system to input temperature readings in order to use models to estimate the temperature distribution and stress concentration in concrete slabs due to daily temperature variations. A model developed for thick walled concrete structures experiencing cyclical temperature variations will be discussed and an example will show how the model can be used with this monitoring system to estimate the stress distribution in concrete structures. The paper will outline the process in developing this monitoring and prediction system. Finally future structural monitoring uses for this monitoring system will be discussed.