<title>Strategy for structural identification of highway bridges</title>

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The University of Melbourne in collaboration with VicRoads, the road and bridge authority in the state of Victoria, has performed a series of static and dynamic tests to evaluate the in-service condition of a number of bridges of different design. From this experience, a strategy for a routine bridge testing procedure has emerged, the presentation of which is the main subject of this paper. The strategy presented involves the selective use of the following methods and techniques: 1) Measurements: vibration response to ambient/traffic excitation, Modal Testing using impact deices and/or shakers. 2) Modal parameter estimation from experimental measurements. 3) FEM modeling: development of generic parametric FEM models of standard/typical designs, and special models. 4) Correlating FEM models and experimental results: updating FEM model parameters, identification of bridge support conditions, estimation of effective stiffness of aged materials and structural elements. 5) Detection of structural faults: simple methods and advanced techniques if required. 6) Prediction of bridge load carrying capacity using verified FEM model: use in re- rating bridges and as a basis or a substitute for proof load testing. The outline of the strategy together with a brief description of the elements above is given. The motivation for the work presented in this paper was to select the state of the art engineering tools to assist relevant authorities in the decision processes necessary for implementing a cost- effective maintenance and replacement policy for the ageing bridge stock.