Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 80-100 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | Engineering Structures |
| Volume | 107 |
| Early online date | 26 Nov 2015 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Jan 2016 |
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Keywords
- Full scale testing
- system identification
- modal testing
- bridge
- eccentric mass shaker
- amplitude dependent modal parameters
- finite element model
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Experimental investigation into amplitude-dependent modal properties of an eleven-span motorway bridge. / Chen, Ge-Wei; Beskhyroun, Sherif; Omenzetter, Piotr.
In: Engineering Structures, Vol. 107, 15.01.2016, p. 80-100.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Experimental investigation into amplitude-dependent modal properties of an eleven-span motorway bridge
AU - Chen, Ge-Wei
AU - Beskhyroun, Sherif
AU - Omenzetter, Piotr
N1 - The authors would like to thank their supporters. New Zealand Earthquake Commission (EQC) Research Foundation provided financial support for experimental work (Grant No. UNI/578). New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) provided access to the bridge. Piotr Omenzetter’s work within the LRF Centre for Safety and Reliability Engineering at the University of Aberdeen is supported by Lloyd’s Register Foundation. The Foundation helps to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research. Ge-Wei Chen’s doctoral study is supported by China Scholarship Council (CSC) (Grant No. 2011637065).
PY - 2016/1/15
Y1 - 2016/1/15
N2 - This paper examines experimentally the effect of forcing and response amplitude on the variability of modal parameters of a bridge. An eleven-span motorway prestressed concrete off-ramp bridge was subjected to multiple dynamic tests with varying excitation levels by using eccentric mass shakers exerting forces in the vertical and lateral direction. The frequency sweeping technique with small increment steps in the vicinity of resonant frequencies was employed to construct frequency response functions at different shaking levels from which the natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes were identified for several vertical, mixed vertical-torsional and lateral modes. Softening dynamic forcedisplacement relationships were observed for all the modes, and the natural frequencies showed clear and consistent decreasing trends with increasing response amplitude. Modal damping ratios initially increased with increasing response amplitude, but later, for the modes where experimental data were available, stabilised at elevated levels. A finite element (FE) model of the bridge was also created and the experimental modal properties compared to the numerical ones. A good agreement was generally noticed for the lower modes but the higher modes had more error. The FE model was used to assess the likely levels of structural damage that would have a similar effect on the natural frequencies as the amplitude dependence. One numerical damage scenario indicated that a reduction of 20% of stiffness in the middle of the main span would cause larger frequency shifts of some modes but amplitude dependent effects will dominate in other modes. Another numerical damage scenario was a reduction by 50% of stiffness at the bottom of the highest pier, and it was shown this type of damage would result in only one third of the frequency drop caused by the amplitude effects in a single, most affected mode.
AB - This paper examines experimentally the effect of forcing and response amplitude on the variability of modal parameters of a bridge. An eleven-span motorway prestressed concrete off-ramp bridge was subjected to multiple dynamic tests with varying excitation levels by using eccentric mass shakers exerting forces in the vertical and lateral direction. The frequency sweeping technique with small increment steps in the vicinity of resonant frequencies was employed to construct frequency response functions at different shaking levels from which the natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes were identified for several vertical, mixed vertical-torsional and lateral modes. Softening dynamic forcedisplacement relationships were observed for all the modes, and the natural frequencies showed clear and consistent decreasing trends with increasing response amplitude. Modal damping ratios initially increased with increasing response amplitude, but later, for the modes where experimental data were available, stabilised at elevated levels. A finite element (FE) model of the bridge was also created and the experimental modal properties compared to the numerical ones. A good agreement was generally noticed for the lower modes but the higher modes had more error. The FE model was used to assess the likely levels of structural damage that would have a similar effect on the natural frequencies as the amplitude dependence. One numerical damage scenario indicated that a reduction of 20% of stiffness in the middle of the main span would cause larger frequency shifts of some modes but amplitude dependent effects will dominate in other modes. Another numerical damage scenario was a reduction by 50% of stiffness at the bottom of the highest pier, and it was shown this type of damage would result in only one third of the frequency drop caused by the amplitude effects in a single, most affected mode.
KW - Full scale testing
KW - system identification
KW - modal testing
KW - bridge
KW - eccentric mass shaker
KW - amplitude dependent modal parameters
KW - finite element model
U2 - 10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.11.002
DO - 10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.11.002
M3 - Article
VL - 107
SP - 80
EP - 100
JO - Engineering Structures
JF - Engineering Structures
SN - 0141-0296
ER -