Structural Health Monitoring: Alaskan Bridge Research in Cold Remote Area

The objective of this research is to improve the safety of bridge structures in the state of Alaska through implementation of innovative structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies. The idea is to evaluate structural integrity and serviceability, and to provide reliable information for changing structural response, etc. of monitored bridges. As a new safety and management tool, this SHM system will complement traditional bridge inspection methods. Implementation of an effective monitoring system will likely result in a reduction in inspection manpower, early detection of deterioration/damage, development of optimum inspection cycle and repair schedules before deterioration/damage grows to a condition where major repairs are required.

Mr. Xiao is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. His research is in the fields of structural engineering and structural health monitoring. Mr. Xiao has expertise in mathematical modeling using state-of-the-art methods in finite elements, and he also has experience in structural design and analysis.