Laser optical displacement system

Larry W. Starritt; Larryl K. Matthews

doi:10.1117/12.207727

20 April 1995 Laser optical displacement system

Larry W. Starritt, Larryl K. Matthews

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2446, Smart Structures and Materials 1995: Smart Systems for Bridges, Structures, and Highways; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.207727
Event: Smart Structures and Materials '95, 1995, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The current quality of our nations bridges is on a decline. There are roughly half a million highway bridges in the United States and out of the half a million more than 200,000 are deficient. With catastrophic failure of bridges causing the loss of life and property, the need for bridge inspection and maintenance is evident. When the Silver Bridge that crossed the Ohio River collapsed in December 1967, 46 people were killed. The failure to prevent the disaster was attributed to the poor inspection techniques used by the bridge inspectors. Current inspection techniques depend on humans being able to recognize structural imperfections without the aid of instrumentation. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1968 mandated both national bridge inspection standards and training for bridge inspectors. This act has encouraged the development of instruments that would allow inspectors to perform more complete inspections of bridges. To improve the quality of inspection and data, there is a great need for proven methods and instruments used to acquire data. The Laser Optical Displacement System (L.O.D.S.) developed at New Mexico State University by the Optical and Materials Science Lab is such a device. The L.O.D.S. has been tested and proven in both laboratory situations and in the field. This paper describes some of the methods that are now being used to measure deflections in bridges. Then, a description of the development and application of the L.O.D.S. unit is given.

Citation Download Citation

Larry W. Starritt and Larryl K. Matthews "Laser optical displacement system", Proc. SPIE 2446, Smart Structures and Materials 1995: Smart Systems for Bridges, Structures, and Highways, (20 April 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.207727

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