New cloud-based software from Kistler combines Structural Health Monitoring with Weigh In Motion

Bridges are the backbones of infrastructure in almost every country in the world. Ageing, increasing traffic, overloaded vehicles and extreme weather conditions pose many challenges. Now the question is: How can bridge owners and operators safeguard their structures in an efficient and responsible way? Prolonging the life of bridges and preventing failures are the main objectives, which require proven and efficient Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) solutions.

Determining and monitoring the structural condition of a bridge is very difficult using inspections only – these are merely qualitative and carried out at long intervals. For a comprehensive structural assessment there are many parameters to consider, such as vibration, strain, traffic load, wind and many more. Every bridge is different and requires an individual solution, tailored to its specific conditions and needs of the operator. A complete SHM solution from Kistler – from sensor to data – meets these challenges and provides 24/7 automated bridge monitoring and protection.

Most advanced WIM technology fully integrated into Kistler’s SHM 

The SHM system comes with the unique Weigh In Motion system from Kistler, which monitors traffic 24/7 and automatically determines axle and vehicle loads with the highest accuracy at any speed without disrupting traffic. Key traffic data is captured and made easily available on the SHM data platform, with information such as vehicle loads, overloaded vehicles and cumulated traffic loads passing the bridge. Kistler’s WIM systems integrate seamlessly with Structural Health Monitoring to provide a combined solution that delivers a perfectly synchronized data set for most advanced evaluation of the bridge structural parameters in combination with real traffic data.

All in one cloud-based software platform

The Kistler SHM cloud software stores all collected data securely and continuously. It can merge structural, environmental and traffic parameters in order to deliver a highly accurate picture of the changes in the bridge’s condition. All data is available anytime anywhere from the Kistler Cloud. Additionally, the cloud-based software platform offers a variety of special features that benefit bridge operators: Notifications and alarms deliver immediate information when conditions change, or defined thresholds are exceeded. Triggers can be set to easily collect relevant data sets in case of special events (event-based triggering) or on a regular basis (time-based triggering).

David Cornu, Head of Traffic Solutions at Kistler, says: "Our SHM & WIM systems ensure the collection of a comprehensive, robust, highly accurate and synchronized dataset, measuring all actions and resistances on the bridge. This allows for a direct comparison of the bridge’s capacity with the effective loads, providing an accurate insight into its overall performance."

Full service ensures perfect fit of combined SHM & WIM solution 

The new SHM software platform complements Kistler’s complete solution, which includes bridge-mounted sensors, data acquisition units, and cloud data management software for Structural Health Monitoring. With its combined WIM & SHM technologies, Kistler focuses on highest data quality, high data availability, ease of use, and compliance with bridge monitoring guidelines. The comprehensive solution for bridge protection can be used on any type of bridge and is easy to install, configure, and operate.