Model Updating of Bridges Using Vibration Measurements

摘要

A methodology for updating the finite element models of bridges is developed by utilizing free and ambient vibration measurements generated by wind and traffic loads. A modal identification approach is first proposed for determining the modal characteristics such as modal frequencies, modal damping ratios and modeshape components at the measured locations of the bridge. Both classically damped and non-classically damped modal models are identified. A model updating methodology is then proposed to update the finite element model of the bridge based on incomplete estimates of the modal characteristics. The methodology is implemented to a four-span concrete bridge located at Kabala (Greece) using measured acceleration data obtained from traffic load events.