This study is focused on detection of damage as added mass on a pedestrian bridge using a finite element model updating strategy. The Dowling Hall Footbridge, located on the Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts campus, is equipped with a continuous monitoring system that measures the ambient vibration response of the footbridge. Structural damage was physically simulated to the bridge through the addition of mass in the form of concrete blocks placed on the deck of the bridge. Changes in physical properties due to the simulated physical structural damage are detected through changes in the identified modal parameters. The location and extent of simulated damage (added mass) on the bridge is successfully estimated using a finite element model updating method. The variability of the "damage" identification results due to different sources of uncertainty is discussed.
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