LAUSR

Abstract Cable-stayed bridges are special structures because of their structural characteristics and their complex and highly non-linear behavior. Given the importance of these structures, once their construction is finished, it is convenient to carry out experimental and monitoring studies to guarantee an adequate behavior for which they were conceived. For experimental studies, an effective monitoring system is required in the measurements of the variables of interest. In this paper, a monitoring system based on optical fiber sensors is presented, and its implementation for the load tests of two special cable-stayed bridges built in Mexico is described as well. The experimental response of the bridges to static and dynamic loads are compared with those predicted by numerical models.