Measurement of displacements in steel arch bridge

Abstract

Measurement of deformations are applied in artificial structures such as dams, tunnels, bridges, and large scale buildings, in which big threats can be caused by deformations, and in landslide regions. The structures that are subjected to huge loadings and vibrations and that are not laid on a strong ground are exposed to a continuous change. It is very important to prevent big hazards with a continuous observation of these changes by using various measurement methods and with analyzing the scales of these changes by using various analysis techniques. In this study a steel arch bridge, designed by the Civil Engineering students at Firat University and entitled to participate in "Design and Construct" competition by Bogazici University in 2010, was used. The purpose of this study is to determine the behavior of the steel arch bridge under external load by using finite element methods and comparators. The results obtained from different measurement methods are agreed in terms of detecting displacements.