Performance-based health monitoring of large civil structures

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and economic development have resulted in many large civil structures such as tall buildings, large spatial structures and long span bridges throughout the world. Safety and functionality of these structures play a vital role in sustaining and promoting the current economic prosperity. Most of these structures are, however, exposed to natural and man-made hazards including typhoon, earthquake and fire over their long service life. Performance-based health monitoring and assessment of large civil structures present a substantial potential for academic research and for development into a prosperous multi-disciplinary industry to ensure these structures service properly at all specified performance levels and to prevent them from damage and collapse. A comprehensive research program with input from experts of different disciplines has been thus initiated and conducted by the four departments of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University since July 2007. The background, scopes, objectives, and milestones of the research program are briefly presented in this paper. The problems encountered and the future investigations are also highlighted.