Applications of Laser-Based Instrumentation for Highway Bridges

This paper describes a Federal Highway Administration Nondestructive Evaluation Validation Center (NDEVC) project to develop tools to better measure large-scale structures. The specific instrument discussed is a laser-based instrument that has been successfully used in a number of applications related to highway bridges. To help understand the way the instrument is used, a description of the basic system operation is given, followed by a detailed explanation of the main instrument features. Several projects conducted with this laser system are then presented as examples of the capabilities of the instrumentation. Both laboratory and field applications are given. Most of the laboratory tests with the instrument have occurred at the NDEVC, which is located at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean. Va. Field tests have taken place at several locations around the United States.