With the vigorous development of transportation, there are increasing safety problems in the operation of existing bridges due to the growth of traffic as well as other factors such as climate, oxidation, corrosion or sudden earthquake etc. In order to promote the research and practical engineering application of health monitoring technology of small and medium span bridges, and ensure the operational safety of small and medium-sized bridge structures with a wide range of volumes and frequent accidents. In this paper, the current situation of operation and maintenance of the structures of small and medium-sized bridge in China were expounded firstly, and then the necessity and urgency of implementing health monitoring for small and medium span bridges were pointed out; Subsequently, the concept of structure health monitoring for bridges was introduced, and the practical engineering application of health monitoring technology of small and medium span bridges at home and abroad were summarized, particularly, the current problems in the health monitoring of small and medium-sized bridge structures were emphatically discussed. On the basis, the construction of the health monitoring system of small and medium-sized bridge structures was analyzed: including sensor modules, data acquisition and transmission modules, data processing & analysis and management modules, safety early warning modules, damage identification and safety assessment modules. Finally, the future development and application of small and medium-sized bridge structures health monitoring technology were looked forward to, and it provides reference and guidance for relevant research.

CICTP