Numerical Model Updating of the Duoc-Uc Footbridge (Concepciã³n, Chile) Using Experimentally Extracted Data

Abstract eng:
Calibration of numerical models has become indispensable to reduce error in the prediction of structural performance of complex systems. Several methods have been developed in the last two decades to calibrate a numerical model, but the implementation of these procedures in engineering common practice is still infrequent. Hence, the analysis-verificationcalibration-design cycle is usually incomplete. In this study, a 52-m long footbridge located in Concepcion (Chile) was model using finite elements software. The footbridge consists of two 6.5 m high arches built of laminated timber. The main arch elements (curved beams) have a rectangular section of 1100 x 200 mm. A steel structure is attached to the curved beams, with columns spaced every 4 m. This steel structure supports a 100 mm thick timber slab with an 80 mm thick top layer of asphalt. An operational modal analysis was conducted to dynamically characterize the footbridge. Accelerometers were attached at different points on the footbridge and one-hour ambient tests were performed on different days and hour times. Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI) and Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD) were employed to determine the dynamic properties of the structure (modal frequencies, damping and mode shapes). The experimental results were compared with the modal response calculated by the numerical model. Results are discussed in terms of the similitude between experimental and theoretical response. Finally, a model updating procedure was proposed to improve numerical model predictions.

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