Footbridge structural health monitoring – A review of current research and future directions

This article presents an overview of recent research and practice in structural health monitoring (SHM) of footbridges, highlighting the potential for adopting advanced SHM strategies. Key innovations from the past decade are discussed, and areas for future advancement are outlined. Various SHM systems implemented on footbridges are reviewed, emphasizing different monitoring techniques, their cost-effectiveness, and challenges encountered in real-world applications. The influence of pedestrian loads and environmental conditions on footbridge SHM design, performance, and data interpretation is also assessed. Recommendations are made to enhance current systems through the integration of modern measurement technologies and IoT solutions. Suggestions are given on applying SHM to a wide range of footbridges to validate the effectiveness and adaptability of new monitoring techniques and algorithms. The article also stresses the need for thorough structural evaluations to facilitate timely and effective condition assessments. Overall, this review aims to guide future SHM research and implementation for both existing and new footbridges.