Static and Dynamic Finite Element Model Updating of a Rigid Frame-Continuous Girders Bridge Based on Response Surface Method

Abstract

Using the static and dynamic test data simultaneously to update the finite element model can increase the available information for updating. It can overcome the disadvantages of updating based on static or dynamic test data only. In this paper, the response surface method is adopted to update the finite element model of the structure based on the static and dynamic test. Using the reasonable experiment design and regression techniques, a response surface model is formulated to approximate the relationships between the parameters and response values instead of the initial finite element model for further updating. First, a numerical example of a reinforced concrete simply supported beam is used to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach. Then, this approach is applied to update the finite element model of a prestressed reinforced concrete rigid frame-continuous girders bridge based on in-situ static and dynamic test data. Results show that this approach works well and achieve reasonable physical explanations for the updated parameters. The results from the updated model are in good agreement with the results from the in-situ measurement. The updated finite element model can accurately represent mechanical properties of the bridge and it can serve as a benchmark model for further damage detection and condition assessment of the bridge.