Detection of Structural Damage on Miter Gates

A primary goal of the Evaluation and Repair of Hydraulic Steel Structures work unit is to develop structural evaluation tools that can be used to assess the current condition of aging steel lock gates. In this study, an integrated experimental and analytical system is evaluated to determine if such a system could be used in identifying existing structural damage on the basis of comparing measured and calculated strain data without having information from prior detailed structural inspections. The integrated system proved to be valuable in both damage detection and assessment. Various types of damage were detected directly from measured strains and further verified by comparing the strains with computed values. When structural damage was identified, either from test data or by other means, the cause and/or effect of the damage could usually be explained with the aid of analytical procedures. However, at this time, the assessment process cannot be fully automated because considerable engineering judgment and experience are required to interpret and evaluate the results. Emsworth Lock and Dam, Miter gates, Evaluation system, Numerical modeling, Mississippi River Locks and Dam No. 26, Red River Lock and Dam No. 1, Mississippi River Locks and Dams No. 27, Steel.