Bridge Load Testing With CBAP Technology

In Colorado, a engineering practice is changing how we evaluate the structural integrity of our bridges.The Comprehensive Bridge Assessment Program (CBAP) developed at Colorado State University is revolutionizing structural engineering across the United States. But conducting real-time load testing on critical infrastructure involves navigating numerous technical challenges.

One of these challenges was accuracy in data collection. With bridges experiencing microscopic deformations under load, engineers created a network of high-precision strain gauges that can detect displacement as small as 0.001 inches. By strategically mounting dozens of these sensors across critical structural places, engineers can now create detailed stress maps that reveal exactly how forces move through the entire bridge structure.

To overcome the obstacle of testing bridges without disrupting traffic flow, engineers used a testing methodology using specially calibrated vehicles that operate during low-traffic periods. This approach combines loading scenarios with modeling software and allowed engineers to simulate decades of deterioration in a few hours while keeping bridges operational throughout the assessment.

The CBAP bridge test is a testament to the evolution of structural assessment in civil engineering. As infrastructure ages across America, programs like this can provide essential insights into how we can extend the life of existing bridges encouraging proactive design.