Brief Description and the work performed by Resensys

Case definition:

  • Significant bridge in the US transportation system and the business community
  • The area (Memphis) is the capital of logistics in the US States and one of the crucial logistic hubs of the world
  • Required high urgency of the repairs

Problems:

  • The fracture was reported at a welded plate transition in the upstream, box-shaped tension tie member.
  • The fracture discovery resulted in an immediate shutdown of the bridge and significant economic loss
  • Required quick monitoring instrumentation before conducting repairs

How to address the problem:

  • A network of 44 wireless strain gauge SenSpots and 2 SeniMax gateways was installed on the bridge within 24 hours
  • Reliable, precise, and real-time data (strain and temperature) on all high-risk members to find out thermal effects and live loads on critical members
  • Monitor strain/stress in critical members when heavier equipment such as cranes were moved on the bridge to carry equipment and retrofit plates

Results:

  • Sensors had been monitoring the bridge during the repairs and after reopening
  • Quick and easy installation of reliable sensors to have cost-effective solution
OWNERArkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT)
SERVICE PROVIDEDRemote Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) System at The Hernando de Soto Bridge
DURATION2021-Present
SALIENT FEATURESRemote Monitoring System
Monitoring strain /stress in critical members
Quick and easy installation before conducting urgent repair
I-40 over Mississippi River Bridge (The Hernando de Soto Bridge)
I-40 over Mississippi River Bridge (The Hernando de Soto Bridge)
On May 11th, 2021, a crack was detected in main load bearings member of the I-40 bridge in Memphis
Installed Wireless Strain Gauges SenSpot™ Sensors on I-40 Bridge
Installed Wireless Strain Gauges SenSpot™ Sensors on I-40 Bridge

Photo Gallery

Installed Wireless Strain Gauges SenSpot™ sensors on I-40 bridge

Installed solar powered SeniMax™ gateway on I-40 bridge for data acquisition
Installed solar powered SeniMax™ gateway on I-40 bridge for data acquisition
Sample of strain and temperature measurements of an installed wireless strain gauge SenSpot™ sensor on a tie girder of I-40 Bridge in May 2021. The graph shows most strain changes are due to temperature changes. This graph is obtained from SenScope™ software.
Sample of strain and temperature measurements of an installed wireless strain gauge SenSpot™ sensor on a tie girder of I-40 Bridge in May 2021. The graph shows most strain changes are due to temperature changes. This graph is obtained from SenScope™ software.