The results of the following FDOT research project is now available online:

Sunshine Skyway Bridge Monitoring Phase 1: System Assessment & Integration Recommendations

Summary [103KB]

Final Report [3.9MB]

Principal investigator: Jennifer A. Rice, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UF Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering/Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment (ESSIE)

Co-Principal investigator: Justin R. Davis, Ph.D., Research Assistant Scientist/Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment (ESSIE)

Dr. Rice and Dr. Davis have developed a plan for a fully integrated and highly flexible monitoring system, including a user-friendly Web interface and full data archiving. The system proposed in this project combines data from existing sensors into a single monitoring system with an interface for data visualization and alerts. Data from the integrated monitoring system will inform an updated and calibrated computer model of the bridge, which will be useful for setting loading and response thresholds and for bridge management decisions.

Jennifer Rice, the principal investigator on this project said, “Our goal was to evaluate the existing monitoring system on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and make recommendations for its improvement and optimization. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is an iconic bridge in the State of Florida and nationally so the opportunity to work on the bridge provides our research tremendous visibility.”

She also added, “We are looking forward to working with the District 7 Structures Maintenance Office to implement our recommendations in the next research phase to achieve a state-of-the-art bridge monitoring system that can serve as a prototype for other bridges and infrastructure systems in the state.”

For more information about active and completed FDOT research projects, please visit the FDOT Research Center at http://www.fdot.gov/research.