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Yuliang Zhou

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Research

Rail Safety Improvement Through Enhanced Understanding of Ballast and Subgrade InteractionsFederal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Continuous Railroad Track Health Monitoring Using Distributed Fiber Optic SensorMxV Rail University Program
Automated Bridge Inspection and Load Rating Using Low-Cost Sensor NetworksU.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Under-Tie Support Condition Assessment using Distributed Fiber Optic Strain SensorResearch project
Recycled Plastics Railroad Ties Fatigue PerformanceResearch project
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Automated Bridge Inspection and Load Rating Using Low-Cost Sensor Networks

Sponsor: U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)

Overview

Project Description

This project develops a real-time monitoring and load rating system for railroad bridges using embedded sensing technologies, including SmartRock sensors and Wheel Impact Load Detectors. Implemented on an undergrade Amtrak bridge, the system provides continuous measurements of load, stress, and strain, supported by high-speed data transmission and cloud-based processing. The project demonstrates the potential of sensor-based structural health monitoring to improve load rating accuracy, detect emerging structural issues earlier, and support safer and more efficient bridge maintenance than traditional visual inspection methods.