Implementation of digital twin and support vector machine in structural health monitoring of bridges

• Published in: Archives of civil engineering 2023-01, Vol.69 (3), p.31-47
• Main Authors: Al-Hijazeen, Asseel Za'al Ode, Fawad, Muhammad, Gerges, Michael, Koris, Kalman, Salamak, Marek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Automation; Bridge failure; bridges; Damage prevention; damages; Data analysis; Data collection; Decision analysis; Decision making; digital twin; Digital twins; Machine learning; Safety; Structural health monitoring; support vector machine; Support vector machines
• ISSN: 1230-2945; 2300-3103
• DOI: 10.24425/ace.2023.146065

Structural health monitoring (SHM) of bridges is constantly upgraded by researchers and bridge engineers as it directly deals with bridge performance and its safety over a certain time period. This article addresses some issues in the traditional SHM systems and the reason for moving towards an automated monitoring system. In order to automate the bridge assessment and monitoring process, a mechanism for the linkage of Digital Twins (DT) and Machine Learning (ML), namely the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm, is discussed in detail. The basis of this mechanism lies in the collection of data from the real bridge using sensors and is providing the basis for the establishment and calibration of the digital twin. Then, data analysis and decision-making processes are to be carried out through regression-based ML algorithms. So, in this study, both ML brain and a DT model are merged to support the decision-making of the bridge management system and predict or even prevent further damage or collapse of the bridge. In this way, the SHM system cannot only be automated but calibrated from time to time to ensure the safety of the bridge against the associated damages.