Applications of Strain and Deflection Monitoring Systems for Post-Earthquake Safety and Usability of Lifelines

by B. Westermo, San Diego State Univ, San Diego, United States,
L. Thompson, San Diego State Univ, San Diego, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Lifeline Earthquake Engineering

Abstract:

The paper proposes and discusses a variety of strain and deflection monitoring devices and systems for post-earthquake safety evaluation of lifelines. There is clearly a need, both in terms of safety and economics, to be able to quickly assess the level of damage and the immediate repair requirements of lifelines after a serious earthquake. The improved technology in microprocessors and strain/deflection measurement devices now make such systems practical, reliable, and economical. A variety of passive and active systems are discussed in which the strains at critical areas in a lifeline are monitored for the purposes of activating alarms, telemetry of data to an emergency center, or shutting down associated systems when the damage has reached specific levels. The systems include the instrumentation of roads, bridges, dams, piers, offshore platforms, and pipelines with instantaneous and/or peak measuring strain gages and monitoring them with active or passive electronic circuitry.

Subject Headings: Strain | Lifeline systems | Earthquakes | Safety | Traffic safety | Strain gages | Offshore structures

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