Government mandates sensor installation for bridge health monitoring

The MoRTH has mandated the installation of sensors on bridges, including devices to detect corrosion, for real-time health monitoring.
The guidelines issued by the ministry apply to all agencies involved in the development and management of national highway stretches. Monitoring the condition of bridges in real time is crucial for timely preventive maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation to avoid traffic disruptions and potential incidents due to bridge failures.
The guidelines outline a two-stage process for bridge investigation include visual survey for overall integrity assessment followed by detailed instrument-aided investigation to determine deterioration severity. For important bridges, parameters like strain, deflection, vibration, tilt, displacement, temperature, corrosion, and scour must be monitored using sensors.
Real-time data collection and monitoring, either permanent or temporary, is recommended for bridges in highly saline or polluted environments.