Atmospheric icing is a significant problem that affects structures such as power lines, telecommunications towers, and bridges. This study focuses primarily on icing on cable-stayed bridges. Three techniques were identified for mitigating icing problems: active, passive, and administrative. However, none of the tested active and passive technologies could mitigate the icing problem on stays. Consequently, administrative strategies were pursued to assist bridge operators.

Two new sensors were developed to monitor the ice presence and thickness on the stay. The UT Ice Presence and State Sensor is a resistance based sensor that also utilizes temperature in detecting the presence of water and ice on the stay, which is crucial in distinguishing ice accumulation and shedding events. The second sensor is the UT Optical Thickness Sensor, which is utilized for measuring thickness of the ice or snow on the stay by employing camera, laser, and new image analysis software.

Predicting the ice accumulation and shedding event can play a major role in the administrative strategy to determine the necessary action to be taken. However, most of the existing accumulation models were developed primarily for torsionally flexible and horizontal power transmission lines. Hence, an accumulation model was developed to account for rigidity and orientation of bridge stays. In addition, an ice shedding model was developed by utilizing transient energy equation and absorbed solar radiation, as solar radiation and temperature rise were found to be the initiators of ice shedding. Integrating the accretion and shedding models together will allow for early prediction of the icing event. Thus, an early warning can be available for operators, and the public in general, regarding how severe the icing event will be and its effects on the traveling public.