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Transforming Decisions on the Performance and Health of Transportation Structures using Cyber-Physical Systems: Lessons Learned and Future Outlook – Jerome Lynch

    The field of civil engineering is radically changing based on the emergence of sensing, data and modes of automation previously unimaginable. One of the most successful advancements has been wireless sensors that can be used to collect structural response data with high nodal density and low installation costs. As wireless sensors proliferate across our industry, the ability to collect data related to the performance of infrastructure is shedding new light on how infrastructure systems perform including how they deteriorate over time. A secondary benefit of wireless telemetry is their seamless integration with Internet-based computing resources which is rapidly transforming monitored civil infrastructure into cyber-physical systems (CPS) capable of automating their data collection in response to their operation. This presentation describes the development of wireless sensors for structural health monitoring (SHM) including an overview of experiences with long-term field deployment of wireless SHM systems on highway bridges. The presentation also describes expansion of SHM system functionality by integrating them into a broader CPS architecture. The presentation describes the deployment of a CPS architecture along a 20-mile segment of I-275 in southeast Michigan that has been designed to track heavy trucks loading a network of monitored bridges. An emphasis is placed on the use of long-term response data generated by the CPS architecture to transform the decision making of the bridge owner, leading to more efficient asset management.

    Bio: Dr. Jerome Lynch is the Vinik Dean of Engineering of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University; he also holds the titles of Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Prior to joining Duke, he was a tenured faculty member of the University of Michigan from 2003 to 2021. Dr. Lynch completed his graduate studies at Stanford University where he received his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and M.S. in Electrical Engineering. Dr. Lynch also received his B.E. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Cooper Union in New York City. His research interests are in the field of advanced sensing and information technologies for the monitoring and control of civil infrastructure systems. Dr. Lynch’s research and teaching accomplishments have been recognized by several honors including the 2005 ONR Young Investigator Award, 2009 NSF CAREER Award, 2009 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, 2012 American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) Leonardo da Vinci Award, and 2014 ASCE Huber Award. He was elected Fellow of the Engineering Mechanics Institute in 2021. 

    Presenter

    Jerome Lynch

    Vinik Dean of Engineering, Duke University