Deflection and frequency monitoring of the Forth Road Bridge, Scotland, by GPS

GPS technology has been successfully demonstrated as a reliable tool for monitoring the deflection and dynamic movements of large structures, such as the Forth Road Bridge. The study found that carrier phase kinematic GPS can accurately measure both quasi-static deflections and vibration frequencies, comparing well with design predictions and structural models. Field trials conducted over 46 hours captured data at 10 Hz, including environmental factors like wind speed, humidity, and temperature, as well as varying traffic loads, including a special 100-tonne lorry. The results also revealed changes in the bridge's structural characteristics due to traffic loading, highlighting GPS's potential for advanced structural health monitoring.

Roberts, G. W., Brown, C. J., Meng, X., Ogundipe, O., Atkins, C., & Colford, B. (2012). Deflection and frequency monitoring of the Forth Road Bridge, Scotland, by GPS. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering, 165(2), 105–123. https://doi.org/10.1680/bren.9.00022