Dynamic behavior monitoring and damage evaluation for arch bridge suspender using GFRP optical fiber Bragg grating sensors

Suspenders, as the main bearing components in an arch bridge, can only manage to serve for about tens of years, or even a few years due to the influences of corrosion and fatigue load. This paper proposes a method of testing the suspender dynamic behavior with optical fiber Bragg grating sensors embedded in the glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP–OFBGS). Firstly, layout method of FRP–OFBGS among the suspender and protection technology are studied, and the self-monitoring smart suspender is developed. Secondly, stretching experiments were carried out on the smart suspender. The test experimental results demonstrated that the whole procedure of the stretching test can be perfectly monitored. Finally, the self-monitoring smart suspender successfully was applied in Ebian Bridge to monitor the strain history of suspenders under traffic load, and traffic effect to suspenders with various lengths and to different steel strands of a single suspender. Based on the monitoring data, the arch bridge suspenders fatigue damage dynamic evaluation methods and calculation results were given. The field monitoring results demonstrated that, the self-monitoring smart suspender mentioned in this paper is capable of monitoring suspender dynamic response and possible fatigue damages.

► A kind of self-monitoring smart suspender is developed.
► Layout method of FRP–OFBGS among the suspender, protection technology and sensing properties are studied.
► Suspender dynamic behavior is successfully monitored using the FRP–OFBGS.
► Arch bridge suspender fatigue damage dynamic evaluation methods are given and safe sate is evaluated.