Luzern Bridge

The Luzern Bridge is a good example of innovative structural engineering using composite design. During the design stage, the designers have made necessary assumptions regarding aspects such as the composite behaviour and support conditions: structural measurements would quantify more accurately the real structural behaviour.

Aim of monitoring:

• Develop an accurate model (global and local) of the bridge to help with management over its life cycle
• Evaluate the extent of composite action between the concrete slab and steel girder
• Quantify the additional stiffness due to friction between the slab and the girder
• Determine accurately the load distribution at each abutment
• Supply necessary modelling information for eventual dynamic analysis. 

Main results:

Improved knowledge of behaviour will enable the city of Lucerne to address most effectively future management decisions such as inspection, functional changes, and eventual rehabilitation. Furthermore, it will reduce management costs and enables better decision-making.

Please contact us for more information regarding our sensor technology for bridge monitoring applications and read through our other case studies from Smartec and our sister company Roctest.