Structural health monitoring (SHM) of an instrumented structure provides numerous benefits when assessing the long-term condition of the structure against degradation, or the short-term condition after an extreme event, such as an earthquake. The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has an interest in expanding the use of SHM for such assessments. Accordingly, the objective of the current study is to develop and implement a permanent SHM system for the Galena Creek Bridge, the largest concrete cathedral arch bridge in the world, to monitor its response to routine traffic and seismic activity. Completed in 2012, the bridge connects Reno and Carson City, Nevada as part of Interstate 580 and US Route 395. The structure consists of twin 526-meter cast-in-place, reinforced concrete box-girder bridges. The research team takes a unique approach by implementing a software and SHM approach originally developed by the United States Geological Survey’s National Strong Motion Project. The instrumentation will measure the structural response to traffic, wind, seismic, and thermal loadings. The system will automatically trigger on predefined events, such as an earthquake, and provide near real-time alerts in the form of text and email messages. In addition, a detailed finite element model of the structure was created and calibrated to establish the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and general dynamic response. The research helps improve the behavioral understanding of complex structures during seismic events. Ultimately, the project serves as an SHM testbed for NDOT, demonstrates a bridge application of the SHM software, and contributes to the advancement of SHM as a bridge safety and management tool
