Web-based real time bridge scour monitoring system for disaster management

Natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and especially floods, often cause severe damage in Taiwan. Although bridge engineering technology has matured, the lack of an integrated bridge management system under severe disasters remains a challenge for the government. This research aims to develop a web-based system that displays the real time bridge scour information through combining Global Positioning System and Wireless Sensor Networks technologies for bridges. The system also provides early warnings for bridge safety based on a developed genetic model for estimating scour depth around the bridge piers. The bridge safety monitoring agency utilizes the system as a decision support tool to make the maintenance plan for bridges and block the bridges under severe weather conditions to prevent the damages from bridge collapse.