Structural Health Monitoring and Mathematical Modelling of a Site-Specific Concrete Bridge Under Moving Two-Axle Vehicles

Abstract

3D coupled models to simulate vehicle–bridge interaction (VBI) for estimating its structural responses and impact factors (IMs) have been developed. By structural health monitoring (SHM), with building information modelling (BIM) of a real bridge, several data have been collected to calibrate the bridge model by finite element method (FEM). Modified recent analytical equations, which account for the effects of the asymmetric two-axle vehicles, have been also developed. These models provide the displacements and accelerations of the bridge and vehicle. From codes and literature, it is shown that a unique IM factor is not found. Also, most approaches underestimate the dynamic responses for bridges. Therefore, the goal consisted in fitting the SHM with FEM and analytical models to find more appropriate response for safety purposes. The monitoring provided a maximum acceleration and displacement of the bridge of about 8.0 m/s2 and 6.0 mm, respectively. By analytical models, more conservative vertical accelerations with values up to 3.0 times the standard riding comfort was estimated. Also, results show that the monitored IM factor is 1.50 greater than IM from codes. © 2022, Iran University of Science and Technology.