Application of IoT Acoustic Emission Technology in Monitoring Wire Breaks in Bridge Cables

Cable wire breakage is a critical safety concern for long-span bridges, particularly suspension, cable- stayed, and arch types. Traditional monitoring methods often fail to detect early defects or provide real-time insights, leaving structural vulnerabilities unchecked. The acoustic emission technology addresses these gaps with high sensitivity and real-time capabilities, enabling timely wire break detection. Supported by recent Chinese industry standards, IoT-AE has evolved from laboratory research to practical field applications. This study conducted laboratory cable-loading experiments to analyze how sensor types, installation positions, and data acquisition parameters influence signal recognition. Key parameters like energy, counts, and RMS were used to establish wire break criteria. Additionally, a real bridge case study validated IoT-AE effectiveness to detect breaks promptly and enhance structural safety through continuous monitoring.