Recent studies in continuous monitoring have shown that structural deformations induced by temperature variations can be much larger than those due to other loads such as traffic and wind. This poses major challenges to the interpretation of measurements from continuous monitoring of bridges, and also raises important questions about the role of thermal effects in the structural performance of bridges. A first step towards developing solutions to these challenges is to find ways of characterizing thermal effects in measurements. Our group investigates data-driven methods for characterizing and predicting the thermal response of bridges. A unique aspect of our work has been to construct a laboratory prototype structure in the form of an aluminium truss to investigate thermal effects. Measurements from this structure are available for researchers upon request.
We are commencing a new EPSRC-funded research project on understanding the scour and hydrodynamic effects of debris blockage at bridges. The project led by Prof. Slobodan Djordjevic combines the expertise within two research groups at the University - the centre for water systems and the structures and dynamics group. It will use a combination of laboratory experiments in a flume and CFD simulations to investigate the underpinning science. The team will work with all major stakeholders in the bridge management arena to formulate research outcomes into guidance for practitioners. Further details on the project can be found here.