Dynamic analysis of a pedestrian bridge using monitoring and computational techniques

Abstract

Soil-structure interaction (SSI) represents an important parameter when analyzing the dynamic behavior of bridges, considering the combined effects of soil, foundation, and structure to ensure an adequate structural representation. This paper applied a computational modeling strategy associated with soil-structure interaction methodology to represent the dynamic behavior of a timber-concrete pedestrian bridge of the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo. The computational models were validated and calibrated using monitoring results from an extensive structural health monitoring campaign. The bridge monitoring program was characterized using embedded sensors and remote monitoring technology: ground-based radar interferometry and video motion amplification. The instrumentation results were compared to establish the capabilities and advantages of this novel remote monitoring technique. The experimental results obtained from free and forced vibrations in the asset served as a basis for validating the developed computational model and allowed the evaluation of the asset behavior in service for different loading conditions. This paper emphasizes the importance of considering an SSI approach to represent the bridge dynamic behavior more accurately, enabling the use of more reliable numerical models to assess the bridge structural responses throughout its life-cycle.