Implementation of PPP-GNSS measurement technology in the probabilistic SHM of bridge structures

•Real-time performance evaluation of bridges.•PPP-GNSS measurement technology in SHM of bridges.•Signal processing of displacement measurement data.•Structural reliability evaluation of bridges in terms of probability of failure. The use of geodetic-grade GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers is increasingly evolving in the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of infrastructure. In this sense, the Precise Point Positioning GNSS (PPP-GNSS) is becoming very popular since it requires only one GNSS receiver. This paper presents a novel SHM technique by integrating the PPP-GNSS measurement technology and an alternative probabilistic approach. Such an approach is based on the study of the stochastic behavior of displacements and their corresponding probability density functions. As a case of study, the El Carrizo Bridge is studied. Results validate the accuracy of the PPP-GNSS measurement technology, and the potential benefits of the alternative probabilistic SHM approach since risk can be extracted using a single GNSS receiver in terms of reliability index and probability of failure. Finally, based on the probabilistic evaluation, it is demonstrated that the El Carrizo Bridge presents an adequate behavior after its rehabilitation.