ABSTRACT
This paper presents an updating method for Finite Element model for short-span bridges by combining static and dynamic responses for performance assessment of short-span bridges in operation. Conventional Finite Element model updating has been carried out by using a few natural frequencies obtained from ambient vibration data. However, due to the limited number of natural frequencies available from field experiments and the large number of unknown parameters of the structure, the ill-conditioned problem was commonly encountered in the optimisation process. Also, reliability of the frequency-updated model on prediction of static response is limited as it is an extrapolation process. Recently several studies have emerged to use both of static and dynamic responses to improve the ill-conditioned problem and reliability of prediction capability of the updated model. In the paper a novel and theoretically sound framework is proposed for combining static and dynamic data and a new way to measure static responses of bridges is proposed and corresponding hardware developed were presented. As a validation study, a field experiment has been carried out on Samseung Bridge a highway bridge in operation in South Korea. Various uncertainties in the process of FE model updating were discussed and it was presented a systematic approach for finding an appropriate FE model structure even though various uncertainties exist. As an intermediate result, a FE model which fitted to the measured static and dynamic response with 7.9% RMS error was identified. New Data Acquisition System for Vehicle Loading input and Deflection Output Measurement. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315207681/cd556cd4-4dcf-4efe-8e29-56fc67b8bfbd/content/fig200_1.tif"/>
