Time series synthetic aperture radar interferometry over the multispan cable-stayed Rio-Antirio Bridge (central Greece): achievements and constraints

The aim of the present study is to monitor by means of multitemporal synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry the stability of the fully suspended cable-stayed Rio-Antirio Bridge (RAB) as well as the ground deformation of its surrounding area. The bridge is located in a region characterized by high hazard susceptibility, therefore, the monitoring of its behavior is of significant interest to mitigate potential risks. Envisat ASAR descending and TerraSAR-X ascending acquisitions were exploited using the persistent scatterer interferometry technique covering the periods 2002 to 2010 and 2010 to 2012, respectively. For both periods, ground displacement rates ranging from −12 to +12  mm/year indicate the absence of a significant deformation source acting during the period of investigation. Of interest is the differential motion pattern between Rio and Antirio for both SAR geometries, signifying the contribution of horizontal motion components, meanwhile allowing the quantification of the relative vertical displacement rates of these regions. For the RAB infrastructure, displacement histories were obtained from TerraSAR-X data analysis only for the stable part of the bridge, namely the viaducts and the four pylons, possibly due to the oscillation of its suspended part and the uncertainty of phase measurements over the pavement. The common behavior of the pylons was confirmed with an overall subsidence between −2 and −3  mm/year . The highest rates were observed for pylons established on specific soil types and were attributed to sediment consolidation.