Z24 bridge damage detection tests

As one of the key elements of the Brite EuRam BE96-3157 SIMCES Project a series of tests were conducted on the bridge Z24 in Switzerland. The aim of the tests was to serve as basis for a feasibility proof and the development of procedures for damage detection in civil engineering structures consisted of two main parts. First the influence of the environment on the dynamic characteristics was measured by a long term environmental monitoring system. Then a series of full modal surveys directly before and after applying a damage pattern to the Z24 bridge were carried out. Each damage pattern was increased in progressive steps until it could safely be detected or the safety of the bridge was endangered. The paper describes the instrumentation, test setup, damage patterns and the respective considerations made. Finally conclusions are drawn with regard to the instrumentation for long term monitoring of possible bridge candidates.