Some insights from the Structural Monitoring of the UHPFRC Arch Bridge WILD

In the last years, fibre optic strain and temperature sensors combined with dynamic non-destructive measurements have become widely used tools for structural health monitoring (SHM) of existing bridges. Nevertheless, installation of such systems for monitoring the construction processes is still rare. This paper aims at highlighting the significance of implementing SHM to gain practical experience regarding the performance of UHPFRC structures under different life cycle operational environments either for assessing usefulness of present UHPFRC design tools or for optimising actual prognosis strategies. Among all performance indicators, it focuses on the analysis of the arch behaviour during deck construction. Measurements showed that from all the dead loads, which stressed the arch at this stage the effects caused by the fresh concrete weigth were the most noteciable but without causing in any case an abrupt change in deformation. This confirms the overall design considerations.