U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations
| Project Information | ||
| Project ID: | FHWA-PROJ-13-0106 | |
| Project Name: | A Self-Sensing Adaptive Material for New Generation of Multifunctional Highway Bridge Bearing System | |
| Project Status: | Active | |
| Start Date: | September 30, 2013 | |
| End Date: | September 29, 2016 | |
| Contact Information | ||
| Last Name: | Yen | |
| First Name: | Wen-huei (Phil) | |
| Telephone: | 202-366-5604 | |
| E-mail: | wen-huei.yen@dot.gov | |
| Office: | Bridges and Structures | |
| Team: | Office of Bridge Technology [HIBT-1] | |
| Program: | Exploratory Advanced Research | |
| Project detail | ||
| Project Description: | The objective is to develop self-sensing adaptive bearing (SSAB) system that uses a wireless magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) sensor, which combines self-sensing (force, displacement, lateral stiffness-sensing actuation) with adaptive stiffness/vibration damping (tuned vibration absorption) into a single system. The proposed system will be capable of sensing transient displacement/load in monitoring bridge responses to environmental disturbances (such as traffic or high wind) at support locations, while at the same time producing variable stiffness properties for protection of bridges against various types of loading conditions. The successful realization of such a new multifunctional system could lead to quantum-leap changes in long-term highway bridge performance and maintenance. The information obtained through the MRE sensors will have an impact in future design of structures during extreme events. | |
| Goals: | To design, develop, test, and evaluate a wireless magnetorheological elastomer (MRE)-based sensor for highway bridges. | |
| Product Type: | Hardware Research report | |
| Test Methodology: | (1) A universal equivalent circuit phenomenological model: to monitor the electric response of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) with different particle inclusions under an applied magnetic field and mechanical deformations. (2) The percolation theory: to capture the changes of macroscopic electrical properties of MREs due to the particle structure variations. | |
| Expected Benefits: | It is anticipated that the proposed self-sensing adaptive bearing (SSAB) system will lead to new management models in highway structures that can improve long-term performance of the Nation's infrastructure. | |
| Deliverables: | Name: Self-sensing adaptive bearing (SSAB) system. Product Type(s): Research report, Hardware Description: Self-sensing adaptive bearing (SSAB) system. | |
| FHWA Topics: | Research/Technologies--Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) | |
| TRT Terms: | Loads Monitoring Composite materials Research Highways Bridges |
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| FHWA Disciplines: | None |
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| Subject Areas: | Bridges and other structures Research |
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