Multi-lane vehicle load measurement using bending and shear strains

Abstract

Abstract Many load identification methods have been proposed, but most are affected by the basic axle parameters and lateral distribution of vehicles. To effectively measure traffic flow with lateral distribution information, this article presents an innovative method that employs a strain decoupling model (SDM) and a vehicle information identification model (VIDM) to measure multi-lane vehicle load depending on the bending strain and shear strain from long-gauge fiber Bragg grating sensors. The SDM decouples the measured coupling strain into the strain for a single lane load, thereby simplifying the complex structural response resulting from lateral distributed vehicles. By exploiting the distinct characteristics of different strain types that reflect various aspects of the structure, the VIDM establishes a sophisticated mapping relationship between bending, shear strain and axle parameters, which enables the accurate determination of axle parameters including axle speed and spacing. The real-time estimation of the multi-lane vehicle load is achieved by combining the obtained axle information with the decoupled bending strain. This method effectively solves the problem of large load estimation error caused by inaccurate identification of axle parameters, and enables accurate acquisition of vehicle load in lateral distribution using bending and shear strains near the bridge entrance. Both numerical studies and laboratory tests are carried out on a simply supported beam for conceptual verification. The results demonstrate that the proposed method successfully improves the measurement of multi-lane vehicle load.