Recent research and applications of GPS based technology for bridge health monitoring

Today,long-span bridges are being designed to be more flexible and to resist extensive impacts from changes in temperature,severe wind gusts and earthquake tremors. Structural responses (especially displacement) of bridge structures are becoming increasingly important for the finite element (FE) modal updating,structural response prediction and safety evaluation. Methods of global displacement sensing were developed for these needs. This paper presents an overview of current research and development activities in the field of bridge health monitoring using the global positioning system (GPS). The GPS monitoring technology and its accuracy assessment method are also briefly described. Finally,existing problems and promising research efforts in the GPS based bridge health monitoring are discussed.