Search
Close this search box.

Bridges

Bridge owners, infrastructure managers, and civil engineers face increasing pressure to keep bridges safe and resilient. As we all know, structures are aging and are being exposed to traffic, seismic events, and environmental stress. For this purpose, real-time insights are essential to prevent failures and costly emergency interventions.

Home » Infrastructure » Bridges

Overview

At Digitex Systems, our xDAS Distributed SHM platform delivers continuous, high-precision monitoring. In addition, we can seamlessly integrate our triaxial digital accelerometers (xWave) with third-party sensors that measure displacement, strain, and weather parameters. That’s how we provide a complete picture of the structural performance.

Furthermore, our Observer post-processing software allows engineers to perform advanced Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) to extract modal properties. Some of these modal properties include frequencies, damping, and mode shapes. For uninterrupted operation, the Voyager platform enables automatic OMA. Hence, it ensures that critical modal changes are tracked in real time without manual intervention.

To complement continuous monitoring, the xAlarm device adds a vital layer of safety by issuing instant alerts via SMS and digital outputs, enabling rapid response to early signs of structural fatigue, cracking, or displacement.

In recognition of their importance, many countries now classify bridges as part of their critical infrastructure and enforce mandatory regulations for continuous structural health monitoring. That’s why Digitex Systems delivers the technology and expertise to meet these requirements while empowering bridge owners and operators with actionable insights. That’s how we ensure safety, extend service life, and optimize maintenance.

Beyond permanent monitoring, Digitex also offers xDAS Ambient, a portable and wireless SHM solution. We designed it for on-demand measurement campaigns or rapid assessments after significant events. Leveraging the high sensitivity of xWave accelerometers and DigiMESH® protocol, xDAS Ambient can detect even the smallest ambient vibrations without the need for external excitation.

In such a way, engineers can perform OMA analysis with Observer to extract dynamic characteristics such as natural frequencies and mode shapes, enabling quick, reliable structural diagnostics when and where they are needed.

Digitex Systems combines advanced sensing, third-party integrations, automated OMA, and reliable alarming to such a degree that it empowers bridge stakeholders with actionable data. Through this structural data, civil engineers and bridge inspectors can ensure safe, confident decisions and extend the life of vital infrastructure worldwide.

A diagram with structural Health Monitoring Solutions for Bridges, Bridge Engineering, and Bridge Inspection

Challenges

Bridge monitoring system is a complex task that requires the continuous observation of multiple structural and environmental parameters. The challenge lies not only in measuring vibrations but also in integrating diverse data sources with the purpose of ensuring a holistic understanding of bridge behaviour.

Our triaxial digital accelerometers (xWave) form the foundation for capturing vibration and dynamic responses. Effective Structural Health Monitoring often requires integration with third-party sensors to monitor displacement, strain, weather conditions, and foundation stability (xStrain/xSense/xMet). Each parameter presents its own difficulty during the condition monitoring:

  • Displacement: Tracking joint movement or settlement is essential to reveal early deformation, but requires highly sensitive transducers.
  • Environmental factors: Temperature changes and weather conditions directly affect material properties, complicating long-term trend analysis.
  • Load and stress: Measuring applied forces and their distribution across structural elements demands reliable sensors and interpretation.
  • Foundation stability: Abutment monitoring is critical, as ground movement or settlement can undermine the entire structure’s safety.

The real challenge is not only collecting this wide range of data but also transforming it into meaningful insights. With Observer software, civil engineers and bridge inspectors can apply Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) to extract modal properties, while the Voyager platform automates OMA in real time, reducing dependency on manual analysis. For safety purposes, the xAlarm devices provide immediate alerts via SMS or digital outputs, bridging the gap between monitoring and action.

By overcoming these challenges, bridge owners, bridge inspectors, and civil engineers can move from reactive inspections to proactive maintenance. All in all, that’s how Digitex ensures structural and people’s safety, while extending service life, and reducing operational costs.

Why Choose Digitex?

  • Real-Time Alerts and Critical Event Detection

    With the xAlarm device, you’ll receive immediate alerts via SMS or digital outputs whenever vibration, displacement, or movement levels exceed critical thresholds, ensuring rapid response to potential risks.

  • Sensor Arrays for Comprehensive Monitoring

    Our platforms are built around high-precision triaxial accelerometers (xWave), seamlessly integrated with third-party sensors for displacement, strain, and weather conditions—providing a complete, real-time picture of structural health (xStrain/xSense/xMet).

  • Advanced Analysis with Observer and Voyager

    Through Observer software, engineers can perform detailed Operational Modal Analysis (OMA), while the Voyager platform automates OMA in real time, reducing reliance on manual analysis and ensuring continuous detection of modal changes.

  • Event Logging for Extreme Scenarios

    With our integrated triggering mechanism and ring buffer functionality (Voyager), every structural response is captured during seismic activity, heavy vehicle crossings, temperature extremes, strong winds, or accidents—offering a comprehensive performance record to guide informed decision-making.

  • Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Compatibility

    Digitex SHM systems support seamless integration with NDT methods, enabling in-depth diagnostics without disrupting bridge operations.

  • Portable Monitoring with xDAS Ambient

    Beyond permanent installations, Digitex offers xDAS Ambient, a portable SHM solution ideal for measurement campaigns on demand or after significant events such as earthquakes, floods, or extreme weather. Leveraging the high sensitivity of xWave accelerometers, the system captures ambient vibrations without the need for artificial excitation. Using these recordings, engineers can perform OMA to quickly extract the bridge’s dynamic characteristics and assess its structural condition.

Bridge Monitoring: Choose Your System

Distributed System

A top-notch system for instrumenting large and complex structures. All in all, a fully digital monitoring solution for every type of civil infrastructure.

Read more

Portable System

Researchers, engineers, and contractors can now do a rapid and reliable structural health assessment with ease. 

Read more

Software

A Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and earthquake engineering software – a powerful suite that covers the full lifecycle of any project!

Read more

Real-world Applications

Case Studies

Upgrade to Digitex!

Unlock the full potential of your Structural Health Monitoring with Digitex.